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fO   WHICH  JS  PREFIXKD 

fLXi  Account  of  the  Author's  Life,  in  a  Sermon  occafioned 
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OF  New-York. 


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CONTENTS. 


PAGE 


Introductory  Lecture   on  Divinity,  9 

Letters  on  Education,  •  .  125 

Letters  on  Marriage,  -  .  161 

Address  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jamaica,  and 
other  West- India  Islands,  in  behalf  of  the 
College  of  New- Jersey,  -  -  185 

An  Essay  on  Money,  as  a  medium  of  com- 
merce ;  with  remarks  on  the  advantages 
and  disadvantages  of  paper  admitted  into 
general  circulation,  -  -  203 

Speech  in  the  Synod  of  Glasgow,  when  I  was 
accused  of  being  the  author  of  the  Eccle- 
siastical Characteristics,         -  -  245 

An  Humble  Supplication  to  such  of  the  No- 
bility and  Gentry  of  Scotland  as  are  Elders 
of  the  Church,  and  members  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  ^  -  .  267 


281 
289 


CONTENTS* 

Speech   in   the  General    Assembly,  on  the 

Transportation  of  Dr.  C ^         -  S7$ 

Letter  sent  to  Scotland  for  the  Scots  Maga- 
zine,        .--..* 

Ignorance  of  the  British  with  respect  to  Ame- 
rica,         -  -  -  -  - 

*  Reflections  on  the  present  State  of  Public 
Affairs,  and  on  the  Duty  and  Interest  of 
America  in  this  important  crisis,         -  293 

Thoughts  on  American  Liberty,         •  297 

On  the  Controversy  about  Independence,  SOI 

On  condu6ling  the  American  Controversy,  305 

Aristides,  -  -  -309 

y  Part  of  a  Speech  in  Congress^  on  the  Con- 
ference proposed  by  Lord  Howe,         -  317 

Speech  in  Congress,  on  the  Convention  with 

General  Burgoyne,         -  -         -  325 

Speech  in  Congress,  on  a  motion  for  paying 

the  Interest  of  Loan-Office  Certificates,  333 

Part  of  a  Speech  in  Congress,  on  the  Finances,       339 

Part  of  a  Speech  in  Congress,  upon  the  Con- 
federation, -  -  -         347 

Speech  in  Congress,  on  the  appointment  of 

Plenipotentiaries,         •  .  -  -  253 

On  the  proposed  Market  in  General  Wash- 

'   ington's  Camp,  -  -  359 

Address  to  General  Washington,         -  363 


CONTENTS. 

Memorial  and  Manifesto  of  the  United  States 

of  North- America,         -  -  •  365 

On  the  Contest  between  Great-Britain   and 

America,         -  -  -  375 

On  the  Affairs  of  the  United  States,  379 

^/Observations  on  the  Improvement  of  Ameri- 
ca, -  ^  -  385 

;  Supplication  of  J.  R  *  *  *  ^  *  *  *  ^,  387 

».  Recantation  of  Benjamin  Towne,  -  397 

A  Description  of  the  State  of  New-Jersey,  403 

A  few  Refleftions  on  the  Federal  City,  413 

On  the  Georgia  Constitution,  -  421 

The  Druid,  originally  published  in  numbers 

periodically,         -  -  «  425 


e. 


[     9    ] 


^  ccKM  loac  eoao  ooc«  ccos  coos  moo  oooo  axo  ooso  oeoo  ooao  oooo  oooo  oooo  CpOoc  cooo  cioz  crco  oooo  oxo  aoa» 
I  oooo  ocoo  ic«o  coao  cooo  eooa  oooo  ooco  ocoo  oooc  oooo  ooo»  woo  ojoo  tooj  ooec  «»oo  cooo  coco  jooa  eooo  oooi ' 


I  N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  O  R  Y    L  E  C  T  U  R  I 


ON 


DIVINITY 


IT  is  a  very  agreeable  thing  to  fee  a  number  of  young 
perfons  determined  to  apply  themfelves  to  the  liudy  of 
divinity.  We  muft:  charitably  hope  that  they  are  atluated 
by  the  noblefi:  principles;  that  they  are  refolved  to  de- 
vote  their  life  and  talents  to  the  fervice  of  Chriil  in  the 
gofpel.  He  is  a  good  mafter;  his  fervice  is  liberty.  They 
have  not  any  flattering  profpe6l  of  an  illuftrious  or  opu- 
lent  ftate  ;  but  they  may  have  in  that  office,  the  greateft 
inward  confolation,  and  very  commonly  more  ferenity  and 
peace,  and  as  much  of  the  real  and  defirable  enjoyment  of 
this  life,  as  any  clafs  of  men  whatever. 

It  is  altogether  agreeable  to  the  defign  of  this  inflltution, 
to  have  young  men  of  piety  and  ability  fitted  for  the  pub- 
lic fervices  of  the  churches.  This  was  the  very  point  in 
view  with  the  worthy  founders  of  this  feminary,  fome  of 
whom  are  yet  alive;  and  as  there  was  never,  perhaps, 
any  feminary,  the  fupport  of  which  was  more  the  efFe<?. 
of  faith  and  dependance  upon  God,  fo  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  he  will  honour  many  of  the  youih  brought  up  in  it, 
with  employment  in  his  vineyard  and  fiiccrfs  in  his  fer- 
vice. 

Vol.  IV.  B 


lo  Lectures  on  Dmnity. 

If  I  may  be  allowed  to  fay  any  thing  perfonal,  T  inc  Ii>e 
to  add>  thar  it  is  peculiarly  agreeable  to  me.  Nothing 
would  give  nie  a  higher  pleafure,  than  being  inftrumental 
in  furnifhing  the  minds  and  improving  the  talents  of  thofe 
who  may  hereafter  be  the  miniflers  of  the  everlafting  gof- 
pel.  The  hope  of  it  is,  indeed,  the  chief  comfort  in  my 
prefent  ilation.  Notwithftanding  the  many  encourag- 
ing circumflatices  that  have  happened  fince  my  arrival 
here,  and  the  evident  fmiles  of  Providence  upon  the  col- 
lege, yet  I  confefs  I  have  often  regretted  the  want  of  a  paf- 
toral  charge.  After  having  been  for  twenty  three  years 
conflantly  employed  in  preaching  the  ^ofpel  to  a  nume- 
rous, obedient,  and  affe£lionate  people,  to  he  employed  in 
a  way  of  life  {o  confiderably  diflferent,  mud  have  created 
fome  uneafinefs.  Jull  figure  to  yourfelves,  one  that  had 
been  fo  long  accuAomed  to  preach  to  a  crouded  audience 
ol  from  twelve  to  fifteen  bundr(^d  fouls  c^/ery  day,  and  all 
fubjecl  to  my  private  overfight  and  difcipline ;  now  to 
have  fuch  a  thin  and  negligent  aflenjbly,  and  moflly  cofu- 
pofed  of  thofe  who  think  themfelves  under  no  obligation 
to  attend,  but  when  they  pleafe.  In  fuch  a  fituation  the 
iphere  of  ufefulnefs  feems  to  be  li^reatly  narrowed ;  but  if 
i  am  made  inftrumental  in  fending  out  faithful  labourers 
into  the  harvefl,  it  will  bean  ample  recOmpence;  for  as 
one  of  great  zeal  and  difcernment  expreffed  himfelf  to  me 
in  Britain  :  "  You  will  be  greatly  mortified  to  fee  the  dif- 
ference between  a  fmall  country  fociety  in  America,  and 
a  large  city  congregation  in  Scotland;  but  if  you  be  in- 
llrumental  in  fending  out  mini  Hers  of  the  New  Tefta- 
irtent,  it  wilt  he  a  ftill  more  important  flation,  for  every 
gownfman  is  a  legion.'* 

in  this  preliminary  difcourfe,  what  1  chie£ly  mean  Is 
to  repeat,  and  endeavour  to  bring  you  to  enter  into,  the 
great  and  leading  view  which  you  ought  to  have  in  your 
iludies,  and  which  I  deHre  to  have  flill  before  my  eyes  in 
teaching.  This  may  be  exprefled  in  one  fentence — to 
unite  together  piety  and  literature — to  fliew  their  relation 
to,  and  their  influence  one  upon  another — and  to  guard 
againil  any  thing  that  may  tend  to  fep^rate  them,  and  fet 
iheui  ill  oppofition  one  to  another.     This  is  of  more  con- 


Lectures  on  Dimiity.  ix 

fequence,  and  indeed,  of  more  difficulty,  than  perhaps  you 
will,  as  yet,  be  able  to  apprehend; — txptrience  however, 
has  taught  me  to  view  it  in  a  moll  important  lig'it.     Some 
perfons  truly,  and  perhaps  eminently  pious,  trom  an  in- 
ward convidion  that  religion  is  better  than  all  the  learning 
in  the  world  ;  and  perhaps  obfcrvinjr    that  ill  principled 
perfons,  the  more  learning  they  have  are  the  more  dan- 
gerous  to  the  truth;  have  come  to  dclpife  learning  itl'elf, 
as  if  the  natural  talent  was  to  blame  for  the  moral  depravi- 
ty.    Of  thofe  who  profefs  religion,  fome  alfo,  from  a  for- 
ward zeal,  are  impatient  to  begin  the  minillry  before  they 
are  fitted  for  the  charge  :  fuch  perfons  are  often  quite  in- 
fenfible  to  the  hurt  they  do  to  the  interelt  of  religion,  and 
how  much  they  injure  the  truths  of  God,  by  their  manner 
of  handling  them.     On  the  other  hand,  there  are  fome, 
who  promifed  very  well  in  early  life,  but  applying  with 
vigor  and  fuccefs  to  their  ftudies,    became  too  much  en- 
amoured with  human  wifdom,    and  thought  themfelves 
fuch  great  fcholars  that  they  were  too  proud  to  be  Chriliians. 
Intelledlual  pride  is  perhaps  as  dangerous  a  diftemper  as 
any  we  are  liable  to      I  have  often  thought  that  great  na- 
tural abilities,  and  great  acquired  knowledge,    operate  as 
a  temptation,  in  a  way  fimilar  to  great  wealth  or  external 
property — they  are  apt  to  intoxicate  the  mind — to  pro- 
duce felf  fufficiency  and  contempt  of  others,  and  to  take 
away  from  that  humility  which  is  the  greateil  beauty,  or 
if  the  expreffion  be  proper,  the  real  glory  of  a  Chriftian.    I 
would  therefore  begin,  by  earneilly  befeeching  you  to  keep 
clear  views  of  the  importance  both  of  piety  and  literature, 
and  never  fufFer  them  to  be  divided.     Piety,  without  lite- 
rature, is  but  little  profitable  ;  and  learning,  without  pie- 
ty, is  pernicious  to  others,  and,  ruinous  to  the  poffeflbr. 
Religion  is  the  grand  concern  to  us  all,  as  we  are  men; — 
whatever  be  our  calling  and  profeffion,    the  falvation  of 
our  fouls  is  the  one  thing  needful.     It  is  however,  further 
and  effentially  neceflary  for  a  minifter.       I  do  not  mean 
that  it  is  neceffary  to  the  being  of  a  minifler  in   the  vifi- 
ble  church,  or  to  the  efficacy  of  the  ordinances  of  the  gof* 
pel  to  thofe  who  receive  them.     This  is,  properly  fpeak* 
ing,  a  popifli  tenet,  againlt  which  there  is  a  qucftion  ia 


12  Lectures  on  Dhiniiy. 

the  Ihorter  catechifm  exprefsly  levelled.     "  How  do  the 
facrameats  become  efFedual  to  falvatlon  ?  The  facraments 
(and  ii  mufl  be  equally  true  of  every  other  ordinance)  be- 
come  effc6lual  tofalvation,  &c."     Some  weak  enthuflafts 
liave  gone  into  this  millake,  and  have  faidit  isas  impof- 
iible  for  an  unconverted  minifter  to  convert  a  foul,  as  for 
a  dead  man  to  beget  a  living  child.     A  fimilitude  is  no  ar- 
gument at  all,  properly  fpeaking,  but  only  an  illullration, 
if  the  thing  itfelf  be  juil.     In  this  cafe  it  is  wholly  mifap- 
plied,  for  it  is  neither  the  converted  nor  the  unconverted 
miniller  that  converts  the  foul,  but  the  power  ofonmipo- 
tent  grace,  by  any  means  that  the  God  of  grace  fees  pro- 
per to  employ.     But  on  the  other  hand,  this  takes  nothing 
away  from  the  neceffity  of  religion  in  a  minifter,  when 
properly  underllood.     It  is  certainly  neceifary,  in  the  mofl: 
abfolute  fenfe,  to  the  faithful  difcharge  of  a  miniiler's  truft  ; 
and  for  the  fame  reafon,  it  is  of  the  greatefl:  importance  to 
his  fuccefs.     True  religion  feems  to  give  a  man  that  know- 
ledge which  is  proper  for  a  minifter  to  dire6l  and  turn  in- 
to its  proper  channel,  the  knowledge  he  may  otherwife  ac- 
quire.    It  feems  neceflary  to  make  a  mini  iter  adiive  and 
diligent,  upright  and  impartial,  happy  and  fuccefsful. 

On  this  fubje£t,    I  mull  give  you  the  following  parti- 
cular advices: 

I.  Do  not  content  yourfelves  barely  w^ith  found  princi- 
ples, much  lefs  turn  religion  into  controverfy,  but  feek  for 
invvard  vital  comfort,  to  know  in  whom  you  have  believed, 
and  endeavour  after  the  greatell  ilridlnefs  and  tendernefs 
of  practice.  When  I  defire  you  to  look  for  invvard  vital 
comfort,  I  do  not  mean  that  you  fhould  wholly  fufpend 
your  preparations  for  the  miniilry,  or  immediately  lay  afide 
thoughts  of  it,  becaufe  you  have  not  all  that  clearnefs  and 
fatisfadion  concerning  your  own  (late,  that  you  fhould 
both  defire  and  endeavour  to  attain.  There  is  hardly  any 
principle  fo  good,  or  any  fo. clear,  but  it  is  v;ithin  the 
reach  of  temptations,  and  capable  of  being  perverted. 
Some  being  deeply  convinced  that  it  is  a  dreadful  thing  to 
preach  an  unknown  Saviour,  and  not  feeing  reafon  to  be 
wholly  fatisfied  with  themfelves,  have  been  thrown  into 
doubts  and  embarraiTed  with  fcruples,  and  have  given  up 


Lectures  on  Dhlnity,  13 

wholly  that  facred  office,  to  which  they  feemed  both  in-» 
clined,  and  called;  this  feems  to  be  taking  a  very  unhap- 
py, and  a  very  blameable  courfe.  If  fuch  fears  had  ex- 
cited them  to  give  all  diHgence  to  make  their  calling  and 
eledlion  fure,  they  would  have  been  properly  improved. 
But  laying  afide  the  thoughts  of  the  minillry  only  on  this 
account,  feems  to  carry  in  it  a  fuppofition,  that  they  either 
do  not  intend,  or  do  not  hope,  ever  to  be  better.  It  is  cer- 
tainly  to  the  public  a  much  greater  calamity,  that  there 
fliould  be  a  bad  minifter,  than  a  bad  man  of  fome  other  pro- 
feffion,  but  to  the  perfon  himfelf,  if  he  die  in  an  unrenew- 
ed ilate,  it  will  bring  but  little  comfort,  I  would  have  you 
upon  this  fubjeil  to  obferve,  that  real  Chriflians  have  very 
different  degrees  of  comfort,  and  that  if  we  examine  the 
facred  oracles  with  care  and  accuracy,  we  fliall  find  that 
what  is  termed  affiu-ance,  is  juil  the  grace  of  hope  in  lively 
exercife.  It  is  called  the  affurance  of  hope,  Heb.  vi.  2.  as 
well  as  elfewhere,  and  as  every  real  believer  has  fome  de- 
gree of  hope,  which  makes  him  reft  and  rely  on  Chrift 
alone  for  falvation  as  he  is  offered  in  the  gofpel,  fo  perhaps 
there  are  not  very  many  who  have  fuch  a  degree  of  Rea- 
dy and  firm  affurance,  as  to  exclude  all  doubting.  I  know 
there  are  fome  that  have  taken  it  up  as  a  principle,  and 
make  affurance,  even  in  this  reflex  fenfe,  the  effence  of 
faith ;  but  when  it  comes  to  experience,  except  the  phra- 
feology  itfelf,  I  do  not  find  they  differ  much  from  others. 

I  mentioned  to  you  particularly,  ftrictnefs  and  tender- 
nefs  of  pradlice.  This  is  of  the  utmoft  moment,as  the  fruit 
and  evidence  of  real  religion.  All  principles  are  valua- 
ble, but  as  they  produce  practice.  But  to  explain  ftricl- 
nefs  and  tendernefs  of  practice  a  little,  obferve,  that  the 
expreffion  of  tendernefs,  is  borrowed  from  that  paffage  of 
fcripture,  found  in  2  Kings  xxii.  19.  2  Chron.  iii.  4.  where 
cf  Jofiah  it  is  laid,  ''becaufe  thine  heart  was  tender,"  8cc.  it 
figmfies  a  heart  eafily  fufceptible  of  convidlion,  and  obe- 
dient to  reproof.  When  this  is  applied  to  the  carriaj.^e  of 
one  devoted  to  the  fervice  of  the  miniftry,  I  think  it  im- 
plies, I.  the  ilrideft  watchfulnefs  to  difcover  fin  and  duty, 
and  a  difpofition  to  obey  the  didates  of  confcience  with 
reipeC^  to  both.     2,  A  concern  to  avoid,  not  only  what  is 


14  Lectures  on  Dmnhy, 

in  itfelf  dire£lly  and  certainly  finful,  but  whatever  is  but 
doubtful  according:  to  the  apoflolic  dodlrme,  *'he  that  doubt- 
eth,"  &c.  3.  A  v\  dlin^nels  to  abftain  trom  lawful  things, 
if  liable  to  exception,  or  likely  to  be  matter  ot  offence. 

II.  A  lecond  advice  1  would  give  you  upon  this  fubjedl 
is,  that  you  fhould  remember  the  iaiportance  of  the  exer- 
cifes  of  piety,  and  the  duties  ot  the  clofet.  As  there  are 
no  forms  of  prayer  with  us,  rhe  hiibit  ot  clofet  devotion  is 
neceffary  to  give  a  minilter  fullneis,  propriety,  and  ferven- 
cy in  prayer.  This  for  his  own  itike,  alio,  he  fliould  at- 
tend to,  for  it  is  neceflfary  to  the  prefervation  and  Im- 
provement of  the  fpiritual  life.  Pray  without  ceafing, 
fays  the  apoftle,  intitnaiing  that  the  very  fpirit  and  temj^er 
of  a  believer,  iliould  be  that  of  dependance  upon  God,  and 
deriving  by  fairh  from  him,  every  neceffary  fupply.  In 
order  to  recommend  it  particularly  to  you,  I  would  obferve, 
that  it  is  peculiarly  neceffary  to  be  begun  in  early  life  ; 
perhaps  there  are  few,  if  any  inffances  of  perfons  coming 
to  a  greater  degree  of  fervour  in  devotion,  or  attention  to 
the  duty  of  it,  in  advanced  years,  than  they  had  in  youth. 
There  are  many  particulars,  in  which  an  aged,  if  a  real 
Chrillian,  v/ill  infenfibly  improve  :  he  will  improve  in 
meeknefs  and  humility,  in  prudence  and  judgment,  in  at- 
tention to  Providence,  in  purity  of  principle,  in  fubmiffion 
to  the  divine  will ;  but  fervour  in  devotion  muff  be  begun 
early,  while  the  paffions  are  llrong,  and  continued  by  the 
power  of  reafon  and  habit.  Perhaps  you  may  think  it  of 
fmall  moment,  yet  fome  very  judicious  and  experienced 
Chriftians  have  given  it  as  a  rule  upon  this  fubjedl,  to  be 
ftridlly  pundlual  and  regular  in  point  of  time,  and  even 
place. 

III.  Early  fix,  and  ftudy  under  the  influence  of  thofe 
principles,  which  ihould  animate  all  your  future  labours, 
a  concern  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  love  lor  the  fouls  of 
men.  If  thefe  are  the  principles  of  itudy,  they  will  keep 
you  from  millaking  the  way,  and  havin^i  taken  early  and 
deep  root,  they  will  bring  forth  fruit  more  abundantly  in 
after  life.  Living  by  faith,  is  extremely  proper  for  culti- 
vating thefe  principles.  Keeping  the  whole  fyflem  of  re- 
vealed truth  in  view,  will  ihew  its  moment  i  and  parties- 


Lectures  on  Bmniiy,  15 

iarly  v/hat  is  revealed  concerning  the  eternal  condition  of 
men,  cannot  fail  to  fill  us  with  a  concern  for  their  wel- 
fare. 

IV.  Be  diligent  to  acquire  every  neceflary  qualified* 
tion  ;  and  yet  Ihidy  Iclf-denial  in  the  ufe  of  them  :  this  is 
one  of  the  mod  important,  and  at  the  fame  time,  one  of 
the  mod  difficult  attainments.  It  is  comparativi^ly  eafy 
to  avoid  vain  glory,  if  at  the  fame  time  we  indulge  in  floth 
and  negligence.  But  to  meditate  upon  thefe  things,  to 
give  ourfelves  wholly  to  them,  for  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  good  of  fouls,  without  having  it  in  view  to  ferve  our- 
felves,  this  is  real  excellence,  and  here  lies  the  greatefi: 
difficulty.  Form  yourfelves  to  a  true  talle  and  real  know- 
ledge ;  let  your  capacity  want  no  improvement  that  it 
may  be  more  ufeful,  but  beware  of  fludying  only  to  fliine. 

v.  Laflly,  guard  againft  the  temptation  that  is  mod  in- 
cident to  your  (late  and  fituation,  particularly,  making  the 
exercifes  of  piety  and  the  ordinances  of  the  gofpel  mat- 
ter of  fcience  and  criticifm,  rather  than  the  means  of  edi- 
fication. When  ftudents  begin  to  learn  how  things  ought 
to  be  done,  they  are  apt  at  all  times  to  be  pv^ffing  their 
judgment  of  the  manner,  inllead  of  improving  the  matter 
of  public  indru6lion  ;  not  that  it  is  poffihle  to  be  w^holly 
inattentive  to  this,  but  let  it  not  carry  you  fo  much  away, 
as  to  hinder  your  teaching  others  as  humble  Chridians,  as 
well  as  difcourdng  to  them  as  able  minilters. 


LECTURE   IT. 


LET  us  now  confider  learning  an  an  important  quali- 
fication  of  a  minider.  On  this  fubjedl,  after  lay- 
ing a  few  things  on  its  moment,  I  (hall  endeavour  to 
point  out  to  you  what  branches  of  dudy  it  will  be  your  in- 
Tered  to  apply  yourfelves  to,  with  greated  diligence.   As  to 


l6  Lectures  on  Dkinity. 

the  importance  of  learning,  there  being  no  reafon  for  us 
in  this  age  to  expert  immediate  or  ibpernatural  revela- 
tion, the  acquiring  a  proper  meafure  of  knowledge  by 
Hudy  and  application,  is  abfolutely  neceflary.  No  parts 
or  capacity  are  fufficient  without  this  ;  nay,  fuch  is  the 
wife  order  of  Providence,  that  to  improve  a  talent  is  to 
pofiefs  and  fecure  it — to  negled  it,  is  to  lofe  it.  There 
is  fcarce  any  thing  that  a  man  could  once  do  ever  fo  well, 
but  if  he  lay  afide  the  practice,  he  will  lofe  the  faculty.  It 
is  lamentable  to  think  what  a  poor  and  contemptible  figure 
fome  perfons  make  in  advanced  life,  who  had  good  ta- 
lents from  nature,  but  fuffered  them  to  rud  in  lloth,  or  to 
be  blunted  by  fenfuality  and  felf-indulgence.  Learning 
is  necefTary  to  keep  the  facred  truths  we  are  obliged  to 

'  handle,  from  contempt.  Great  weaknefs  and  infufficiency 
expofe  the  minifiry  to  contempt,  even  amongft  the  mean- 
eft  of  the  people ;  but  it  is  efpecially  a  Humbling  block 
to  thofe  who  are  themfelves  perfons  of  literature  and  tafte. 
It  is  extremely  difficult  for  them  to  receive  and  relifli 
things  delivered  in  a  mean,  flovenly  manner.  Suppofe, 
for  example,  one  who  is  not  fo  much  as  fenfible  of  the 
grofleft  improprieties  of  ftile,  fpeaking  in  the  hearing  of 
perfons  of  rank,  or  of  real  knowledge  :  and  as  even  a 
good  man  is  not  always  wholly  free  from  vanity  and  affec- 
tation— rfuppofe  too  that  the  fpeaker  fhould  fwell  his  dif- 
courfe  with  high  and  pompous  phrafes,  or  hard,  and  out 
of  the  way  fcientific  terms — only  think  how  great  would 
be  the  temptation,  to  fuch  perfons  as  I  have  mentioned, 
•^  to  negledl  what  is  good,  from  its  being  mixed  with 

.  what  they  fo  juftly  defpife.  Learning  is  alfo  neceflary 
to  repel  the  attacks  of  adverfaries.  The  goi'pel  has  ne- 
ver been  without  enemies  from  without,  and  from  with- 
in ;  and  as  it  is  ufually  by  means  of  human  learning  that 
they  make  the  attack,  it  is  neceflary  that  fom.e  Ihould  be 
ready  to  meet  them,  and  able.to  unravel  the  fubtilty  with 
which  they  lie  in  wait  to  receive.  I  have  often  thought 
that  there  was  fomething  very  admirable  in  the  choice  our 
Saviour  made  of  his  firlt  miniilerc,  to  aflTill  us  in  adjufling 
our  views  upon  this  fubjedl.     for  the  more  immediate 


Lectures  o?i  Dhhniy,  t*j 

manlfeftation  of  divine  power,  when  the  wife  and  great  in. 
the  world  were  united  againft  his  truths,  he  chofe  twelve 
illiterate  fillermen,  which  (liould  teach  us  not  to  over-rate 
the  wildom  of  the  wife  ;  and  leil  in  after  ages  we  fliould 
be  tempted  to  under- rate  it,  he  chofe  one  apoftle,  able 
and  learned,  aiKi  to  him  he  gave  the  mod  lignal  fuccefs; 
{q  tiiat  he  laboured  more  abundantly  than  them  all,  and 
was  honoured  to  be  the  penman  of  a  very  confiderable 
part  of  the  code  of  the  New  Tcliament. 

But  let  me  now  proceed  to  conliJer  what  branches  of 
^'cAy  it  will  be  your  intereft  to  apply  to  with  the  greatefl 
diligence  ;  and  if  I  am  able  to  do  this  with  propriety,  I 
am  perfuaded  you  v/ill  find  it  of  the  mod  fignai  lervice. 
A  traveller  lofes  time  upon  his  journey  by  going  out  of  the 
road,  as  well  as  by  ftanding  fliil  ;  and  if  his  direction  is 
very  wrong,  the  time  is  more  than  loil,  for  his  dillance  is 
increafed,  and  his  ftrength  is  exhauded.  On  this  fubjedt 
be  pleafed  to  attend  to  the  following  remarks.  There  is 
no  branch  of  literature  without  its  ufe.  If  it  were  poffible 
for  a  minifter  to  be  acquainted  with  every  branch  of  fci- 
ence,  he  would  be  more  fit  for  public  ufefulnefs.  The  un- 
derdanding  which  God  hath  given  us,  and  every  objedl: 
that  he  hath  prefented  to  it,  may  be  improved  to  his  glc- 
xy.  A  truly  good  man  does  grow  both  in  holinefs  and 
ufefulnefs,  by  every  new  difcovery  that  is  made  to  him  ; 
therefore  learning  in  general  is  to  be  edeemed,  acquired, 
and  improved  ;  and  perhaps  I  may  alfo  fay,  it  were  there- 
fore good  if  a  minider  were  a  perfon  of  extenfive  know- 
ledge. But  our  time  and  capacity  are  both  limited,  and 
we  cannot  do  all  thr.t  we  could  v/ifli.  On  the  fubje£l  of 
literature  in  general,  obferve,  that  reading  a  few  books 
well  chofe n,  and  digeding  them  thoroughly,  together  with, 
the  frequent  exercife  of  refledtion,  will  make  a  knoudng 
and  intelligent  man  :  but  to  make  what  the  world  calls  a 
learned  man,  or  a  great  feholar,  requires  a  very  general 
knowledge  of  authors,  books  and  opinions  of  all  kinds.  A 
perfon  of  great  dSfcernment  may  perhaps  obferve  a  dill 
nicer  didincllon,  in  the  ufe  ofepithetsin  our  own  language. 
The  phrafe  ''  a  man  of  learning,"  according  to  its  prefcnt 
acceptation  in  Europe,  almod  ahvavs  fuppofes  and  in- 
Vol.  IV.  C 


1 1  Lectures  on  Dmiiity. 

eludes,  tade  in  the  belles  lettres.     A   great  fcliolaf,  or  a 
man  of  erudition,  always  carries  in  it  the  idea  of  much 
reading:  the  firft  always  fuppofes  genius,  the  other  may 
confill  with  very  moderate  talents.     A  pretty  large  circle 
of  the  fciences  is  taught  in  our  fchools  and  colleges;  and 
though  many  think  it  too  extenfive,  yet  fomething  of  the 
principles  of  the  whole  may  be  underftood  by  a  perfon  of 
capacity  and  diligence  :  his  knowledge  may  be  true  and 
juit,  though  not  minute.     A  man  may  not  be  a  mathe- 
matician or  an  aftronomer,  and  yet  underftand  fomething 
of  the  true  fyftem  of  the  univerie.     He  may  underfland 
many  fciences  fo  far   as  to  comprehend  the   reafoning  of 
thofe  more  deeply  fkilled,  who  fpeak  and  write  of  them, 
and  fo  as  to  fpeak  with  politenefs  and  confiftency  within 
his  own  line,  in  every  thing  he  fays  of  them.     But  to 
excel  in  any  particular  branch  of  fcience,  and  to  know 
every  thing  upon  that  branch  that  may  be  known,  is  the 
work  of  a  life-time.     Grammar,  mathematics,  aftronomy, 
oratory,  hiilory,  law,  phyfic,  poetry,  painting,  ftatuary, 
architedlure,    mufic  ;    nay,    the  fubordinate  divifions  of 
fome  of  thefe  fciences,  fuch  as,  anatomy,  botany,  chy- 
miftry,  are  all  of  them  fufficient  to  employ  a  life,  to  carry 
them  to  perfection.     It  is  therefore  plainly  in  itfelf  impro* 
bable,  that  almofl  any  man  can  attain  a  high  degree  of 
perfection  in  all,  or  indeed  in  many  of  thefe  branches  of 
iludy.     There  is  even  fomething  more  to  be  obferved ; 
the  perfon  v»/ho  addiCls  himfelf  to  any  one  of  thofe  fludies^ 
fo  as  to  be   an  adept,  or  really  a   complete  mailer  in  it, 
cannot  be  a  man  of  extenfive   knowledge  ;  and  it  is  but 
feldom  that  he  can  be  a  man  of  a  liberal  or  noble   turn  of 
mind,  becaufe  his  time  is  confumed  by  the  peculiarities, 
and   his    mind  narrowed  by  attending  to  one  particular 
art.     He  is   likewife  apt  to  elleem  his  favourite  fludy  fo 
much  as  to  confine  all  excellence,   and  even  all  capacity, 
.to  it.     A  profound  botanilt,  fmitten  with  the  love  of  flow- 
ers and  herbs,  if  he  meets  with  a  man  that  does  not  know 
one  from  another,  and   does  not  value  a  ranunculus  or 
anemone     more    than    a  pile   of    common  fpear-grafs, 
has   a  fovereign   contempt  of    fuch    an    underllanding. 
Dean  Swift  takes  notice  of  a  curious  expreffion  this  way^ 


Lectures  on  Dhinity,  19 

of  a  dancing-mader,  at  whofe  fchool  the  famous  Harley, 
Earl  of  Oxford,  had  been  in  his  youth  ;  when  he  was 
made  fecretary  of  (late,  he  faid,  he  wondered  what  the 
Queen  could  lee  in  that  man^  for  he  was  one  of  the  great- 
ell  dunces  he  ever  taught. 

Hence  you  may  obferve,  that  all  who  are  devoted  to  the 
particular  ftudy  of  one  fmall  branch,  are  generally  confi- 
dered  as  pedants  ;  and  indeetl  commonly  are  fuch  as  are 
underftood  by  that  expreilion.  Their  thoughts  have  ta- 
ken fuch  a  courfe,  and  their  ideas  themfelves  taken  fuch 
a  tindiure  from  their  favourite  ftudy,  that  they  fee  every 
thing  through  that  medium,  and  are  apt  to  introduce  the 
expreffions  belonging  to  it,  upon  every  fubje<St  and  occa- 
fion.  Mr.  Addifon  in  one  of  his  Spectators  obferves,  that 
every  man  whofe  knowledge  is  confined  to  one  particular 
fubjedl  is  a  pedant,  as  a  mere  foldier,  a  mere  ador,  a 
mere  merchant,  &c.  but  that  the  learned  pedant,  though 
generally  mod  laughed  at,  is  of  all  others  the  moll  tolera- 
ble, becaufe  he  has  generally  fomething  to  communicate 
that  is  worth  hearing.  But  I  obferve,  that  the  moft  rea- 
fonable  pedants,  and  the  leaft  to  be  blamed,  are  thofe 
whofe  whole  hearts  are  fet  upon  what  is  their  bufinefs  for 
life.  Therefore,  though  a  fchool  mailer  can  fcarcely  fpeak 
without  citing  Virgil  or  Horace,  he  is  to  be  indulged ; 
and  though  he  may  not  make  the  mod  diflinguifhed  figure 
in  public  or  polite  life,  yet  he  is  ufeful  in  his  generation, 
and  fit  for  the  difcharge  of  his  truft—r-Therefore,  a  miniller 
that  is  a  mere  theologian,  well  acquainted  with  the  fcrip- 
tures,  though  with  few  other  books,  or  books  upon  other 
fubjedls,  and  is  mailer  of  the  controverfies  that  belong  to 
divinity,  properly  fo  called,  is  certainly  much  more  to  be 
pardoned,  than  one  ever  fo  much  fkilled  in  any  other  fci- 
ence  without  this.  But  what  fliall  we  fay  of  thofe,  who 
miilake  their  duty  fo  very  much,  as  to  be  chiefly  diftin- 
guifhed  for  that  which  they  have  leaft  to  do  with.  I  have 
known  a  phyfician,  who  was  a  much  greater  connoifi^eur 
in  mufic  than  in  medicine  ;  and  a  divine,  much  more  fa- 
mous for  accounts  and  calculation,  than  for  preaching. 
It  is  therefore,  in  my  opinion,  not  any  honor  to  a  minif- 
ter  tQ  be  very  famgus  in  any  branch  that  is  wholly  uncou^ 


20  Leclures  071  Dhinlty. 

reeled  will  J  tlieology  ;  not  that  knowledge  of  any  thing, 
properly  fpeaking,  is  either  a  difadvantage  or  ground  of 
repro?.ch  ;  but  for  a  man  to  Ihow  a  deep  knowledge  of 
fome  particular  fubjcQ,  plainly  difcovers  that  he  hath  be- 
llowed more  time  and  pains  upon  it,  than  he  had  to  fpare 
from  his  neceilary  duty.  It  is  alfo  ufual  in  all  fuch  cafes, 
that  the  favourite  purfuit  infufes  fuch  a  quantity  of  phra- 
fes  and  alluiions  into  his  laJiguage,  as  render  it  llifF  and 
improper,  and  fometimes  ridiculous. 

Agreeably  to  thefe  remarks  I  obferve,  that  the  affiRant 
ftudies  to  theology,  are  chiefly  the  following  :  i.  Lan- 
guages. 2.  Moral  Philofophy.  3.  Hiilory,  iacred  and 
profane.  4.  Eloquence,  including  the  belles  lettres  fludy 
in  general. 

I.  Languages.  Thefe  indeed,  ufed  to  he  reckoned  ef, 
fentially  neceffary  to  learning  in  general,  immediately  af- 
ter the  revival  of  learning  in  Europe  :  The  Greek  and 
Latin  languages  were  lludied  univerfally,  and  viwh  great 
care.  Ail  authors  who  expelled  their  works  fhould  live 
any  time,  wrote  in  Latin  ;  but  fmce  the  cultivation  of 
the  languages  of  Europe,  this  has  been  gradually  difcon- 
tinned,  and  except  in  fome  few  fcientific  writings,  have 
now  wholly  ceafed.  However,  as  the  remains  of  the  an- 
cients are  llill  the  ftandard  of  tafte,  all  literary  perfons 
Ihould  make  themfelves  acquainted  with  the  languages. 
It  is  to  be  lamented  that  many  fpend  a  great  part  of  the 
time  of  their  education  in  learning  Latin  and  Greek,  and 
yet  few  ever  attain  them  to  that  perfection,  which  alone 
can  make  the  learning  of  a  language  of  great  moment,  lb 
that  they  can  read  the  authors  with  pleafure  and  profit, 
for  the  matter  which  they  contain.  This  might  be  eafdy 
attained  by  almoft  any  lludent  after  his  grammar  fchool 
and  other  education ;  and  reading  over  the  claflics  v/ith 
fome  of  the  bed  critics  upon  them,  would  be  a  very  im- 
proving (tudy.  Books  of  hidory  and  entertainment  alfo, 
in  Greek  and  Latin,  would  have  a  happy  efFedl  this  way. 
The  Hebrew  language  alfo,  is  very  proper  and  ufeful  for 
a  divine,  being  the  language  in  which  a  great  part  of  the 
fcriptures  were  originally  written,  and  not  difficult  to  ac- 
quire, becaufe  we  have  but  few  writings  in  that  language 


Lectures  on  Dmnity.  2t 

at  all,  and  the  language  itfelf  is  not  copious  :  to  thefe  I 
only  add  the  ftudy  of  the  French  language;  it  is  both  ufe- 
ful  and  ornamental.  There  is  hardly  any  fuch  thing  as  a 
learned  education  in  Britain,  where  the  French  language 
is  omitted.  It  was  the  firll  polillied  of  all  the  modern 
languages  of  Europe,  having  been  at  lead  fifty  years  be- 
fore the  Englifli  in  this  refpedl ;  and  though  there  are  fome 
branches  of  writing  in  which  there  are  Englifh  authors 
not  inferior  to  any  of  the  French  that  I  am  acquainted 
with  ;  yet  in  general,  there  is  to  be  found  a  greater  purity, 
fnnplicity  and  precifion,  in  the  FVench  authors,  than  in  the 
Englifh.  But  what  indeed  chiefly  difpofes  me  to  recom- 
mend the  French  language  to  divines  is  on  account  of  the 
found,  calviniftic,  reformation  divinity :  there  are  many 
more  able  and  elegant  writers  in  that  language,  than  in 
Englilh;  there  are  alfo  fome  admirable  practical  treatifes 
written  by  the  popiih  divines  in  French,  as  well  as  by  the 
Janfenifts  of  the  Roman  catholic  communion  :  Janfenifis 
and  Molinifts  in  the  church  of  Rome,  are  juft  the  fame  as 
Caliils  and  Arminians  among  proteftants. 

II.  Moral  Philofophy.  The  connexion  of  this  with 
divinity  will  be  eafily  feen.  It  is  a  very  pleafant  and 
improving  lludy  in  itfelf,  or  a  good  handmaid  to  the  chrif- 
tian  morality ;  and  the  controverfies  upon  that  fubje6l, 
which  are  all  modern,  (land  in  immediate  connexion  with 
the  deiftical.  controverfies,  which  it  is  necelTary  for  a  di- 
vine to  make  himfelf  mafler  of.  There  are  h\v  of  the  an- 
cient Vv'riters  of  much  value  upon  that  fubjedl,  excepting 
Plato  among  the  Greeks,  and  Cicero  among  the  Latins, 
efpecially  the  latter.  The  remains  of  Socrates  (to  be  col- 
lecled  from  the  writers  of  his  country,  but  chiefly  from 
Xenophon,)  the  works  of  Epictetus,  Marcus  Antoninus, 
and  Seneca,  contain  many  moral  fentiments,  but  little  or 
nothing  of  the  principles  of  morals.  I  think  the  moll  beau- 
tiful moral  writer  of  the  ancients,  is  the  author  of  the 
Tablature  of  Cebes.  As  to  any  thing  contained  in  the  an- 
cients, relative  to  the  truth  of  Theology,  it  will  be  found  al- 
molluniverfally  collected  inCudvvorth's  inteiledualfyilem. 

III.  Flifiory,  facred  and  profline.  This  is  a  ilndy,  ea- 
fy,  pleafant  and  pro§;able,  and  by  a  peculiar  happinefs  of 


zz  Lectures  on  Dhinhy, 

this  age,  fafhionable.  As  a  clergyman  fliould  be  a  man 
of  liberal  knowledge,  and  fit  for  the  converfation  and  foci- 
ety  of  men  of  rank  and  letters,  it  is  necefTary  that  he  be 
well  acquainted  with  hidory  ;  if  he  is  not,  he  will  be  of- 
ten ready  to  betray  his  ignorance  before  perfons  who 
fl:iou]d  be  much  his  inferiors  in  point  of  lludy  :  befides 
5'ou  fee  a  great  part  of  the  facred  writings,  both  of  the  Old 
Teflament  and  the  New,  confifls  of  hiftory ;  and  few  things 
are  more  neceffary  to  the  juft  and  critical  fludy  of  the 
fcriptures  than  an  acqi^aintance  with  hiftory,  with  the 
original  flate  and  gradual  progrefs  of  human  fociety  ;  it 
adds  greatly  too,  to  a  minifter's  knowledge  of  the  human 
heart ;  in  that  refpecl  it  may  be  faid  to  be  the  way  to 
that  knowledge  of  the  world  which  may  be  obtained  at 
leaf!  ex  pence  and  with  perfed  fafety. 

IV.  Laftly,  Eloquence  ;  that  is  to  fay,  compofition  and 
criticifm,  including  the  whole  of  what  is  commonly  called 
tlie  belles  lettres  ftudy.  Nothing  is  more  plain  than  the 
neceffity  of  this  fcience  :  'public  fpeaking  is  to  be  the  chief, 
or  one  of  the  chief  parts,  of  a  minifter's  bufmefs  for  life. 
I  (liall  not  enlarge  on  this,  having  occafion  to  fpeak  on  it 
at  great  length  in  another  department,  which  you  have 
had,  or  may  have,  an  opportunity  to  hear.  I  fhould  have 
made  more  mention  of  books,  but  as  I  have  written,  at  the 
particular  defire  of  fome  of  the  laft  year's  fcholars,  a  lift  of 
the  principal  and  moft  valuable  writers  in  every  branch 
of  fcience,  it  will  be  more  complete,  for  any  that  defire  it, 
to  have  copies  of  that  lift. 


LECTURE  III, 


THE  fubjeft  on  which  we  are  now  to  enter,  is  the  truth 
of  the  Ghriftian  religion.  1  am  fenfible  that  every 
good  man  has  a  convidlion  of  the  truth  of  the  gofpel  from 
its  power  and  efficacy  upon  his  own  heart,  diftind  from, 
and  fupsrior  to,  all  fp^cuUtive  re^foning.     That  deep  and 


Lectures  on  Dhinitf,  SJ 

heart-felt  fenfe  of  the  corruption  and  weaknefs  of  our  na^ 
tare,  and  of  the  power  of  indwelling  fin,  which  is  infepa- 
rable  from  the  reality  of  religion,  and  the  perception  of 
the  admirable  fitnefs  of  redemption  by  the  crofs  to  abafe 
the  pride  of  man,  and  to  exalt  the  grace  of  God  ;  to  give 
confolation  to  the  fmner,  while  it  changes  the  heart ;  ia 
highly  fatisfying  to  a  confiderate,  if  at  the  fame  time,  a 
ferious  perfon  ;  fo  that  for  his  own  fake,  he  would  pay 
but  litde  regard  to  all  the  fooliili  cavils  of  men  of  corrupt 
minds.:  nay,  there  is  fomething  more  ;  the  whole  fyftem 
of  the  gofpel,  as  depending  upon,  and  having  conflant  re- 
ference to  the  crofs,  is  fo  contrary  to  the  tafte  of  a  carnal 
mind,  and  fo  far  from  carrying  in  it  any  of  the  marks  of 
human  wifdom  that  it  is  impofTible  to  fuppofe  it  a  cun* 
ningly  devifed  fable,  and  therefore  we  may  cordially  em- 
brace and  rely  upon  it,  as  the  power  of  God  into  falva- 
tion.  One  thing  more  I  would  fay,  by  way  of  introduc- 
tion ;  that  the  cullom  of  fome  miniilers,  of  conftantly  en- 
tertaining their  hearers  with  a  refutation  of  infidel  objec- 
tions upon  every  fubjecSl,  rs  not  much  to  be  commended. 
This  feems  to  proceed  upon  a  fuppofition,  that  a  great 
part  of  their  audience  is  inclined  to  infidelity.  There  are 
times  and  places  when  that  is  proper  I  admit;  but  there  are 
many  others  in  which  it  is  either  quite  unneceflary,  or 
even  hurtful,  as  tending  to  bring  people  acquainted  with 
what  would  perhaps  never  otherwife  have  fallen  in  their 
way.  It  is  however  certain,  that  fince  in  modern  times 
efpecially,  this  controverfy  has  been  greatly  agitated,  and 
indeed  of  late  almoll  all  other  controverfies  have  been  drop- 
ped on  account  of  it,  or  lofi  in  it ;  a  iludent  of  divinity 
Ihould  be  well  informed  upon  it.  I  will  therefore  endea- 
vour to  Hate  it  to  you  with  as  much  diftindlnefs  as  I  am 
able,  and  as  much  brevity  as  its  nature  will  admit.  The 
fubjedl  mull  be  taken  up  a  little  differendy,  as  we  fuppofe 
we  have  to  do  with  different  adverfaries — atheifts  and  the- 
ids. 

The  controverfy  with  the  firft,  perhaps  it  is  unneceirary* 
to  treat  with  much  length,  becaule  it  is  not  difficult,  and 
becaufe  there  are  but  few  that  plead  the  caufe  of  infidelity 
upon  this  footing,  yet  fome  of  the  latefl  infidel  v/riiers. 


Z4t  J^ec tares  on  Dhinity^ 

particularly  David  Hume,  has  raift'd  fuch  objeclions,  as 
ieem  chiefly  to  point  this  way.  The  boundlels  fcepticifra 
be  has  endeavoured  to  introduce,  would  weaken  the  be- 
lief we  have  in  the  Deity,  as  much  as  in  the  goipel ;  and 
indeed,  as-  he  leldoni  attacks  particulars,  (except  in  the 
cafe  of  miracles)  his  enmity  feems  to  be  againfl  religion 
in  general,  and  not  againil  the  gofpel :  the  fame  thing  may 
be  faid  of  Voltaire,  Helvetius,  and  other  foreigners  ; 
though  Voltaire  deals  very  much  in  particular  cavils,  and 
of  the  mod  filly  kind. 

In  the  deidical  controverfy,  what  commonly  leads  the 
way,  is  the  necefiity  of  revelation  in  general.  This  is  to 
be  proved  from  the  Hate  of  the  heathen  world,  before  the 
coming  of  Chrifl:.  The  chief  circumftances  to  be  taken 
notice  of,  are,  I.  Their  grofs  ignorance.  2  Their  abfurd 
notions  of  God,  as  of  human  iliape,  with  many  padions, 
and  the  word  of  vices.  3.  Their  impious  and  Ihocking 
rites,  particularly  human  lacrifices.  4.  Their  polytheifm, 
and  multiplicity  of  gods.  5.  Their  great  immorality. 
it  is  to  be  particularly  obferved,  that  thefe  things  were 
not  confined  to  the  barbarous  nations,  but  if  there  was 
any  difference,  it  was  rather  more  eminently  the  cafe  v/ith 
thofe  who  were  thought  the  rnod  improved  and  civilized, 
the  Egyptians,  Greeks  and  Romans.  The  firil:  infidel 
writers  in  Europe,  were  chiefly  employed  in  fliewing  the 
fufficiency  of  reafon  as  a  guide  to  man  in  his  conduct,  of 
whom  Lord  Herbert,  of  Cherburg,  was  one  of  the  moll 
early,  and  one  of  the  moll  eminent.  Their  way  of  argu- 
ing is  very  fallacious  ;  for  they  avail  themfelves  of  that  ve- 
ry improvement  of  reafon,  which  they  owe  to  revelation, 
in  order  to  fliew  revelation  to  be  unnecelTary.  The  fub- 
lime  and  noble  conceptions  of  God,  as  the  father  of  fpi- 
rits,  which  after  they  are  difcovered,  can  eafily  be  fhewn 
to  be  rational,  are  boafled  of  as  the  produ6licns  of  unbi- 
alTed  reafon  ;  but  the  fair  way  of  deciding  the  queflion  is 
to  apply  to  thofe  nations  that  wanted  revelation,  that  is  tq 
fay;  the  Jewifli  and  Chriilian  revelation,  and  there  we 
fliall  fee  what  reafon,  in  the  courfe  of  many  ages,  was  able 
to  do  in  fa6t.  There  is  likewife  more  here  than  is  com- 
monly attended  to ;  for  there  is  the  greateft  probability 


Lectures  en  Dhhiity, 


M 


that  the  fmali  meafure  of  truth  which  was  mixed  with  the 
heathen  f-vbles,  was  not  the  cHrcovery  of  reafon,  but  hand- 
ed dawn  by  traditions.  It  is  well  known  that  the  Egyptian 
theology,  and  their  literature,  whatever  it  was,  W2S  kept  a 
fecret,  and  was  handed  down  from  one  to  another  by  their 
prieiis,  and  it  is  as  certain  that  the  eariieft  Grecian  philo- 
ibphers  never  expected  that  they  could,  nor  pretended  that 
they  had,  difcovered  any  of  their  opinions  by  reafon,  but 
they  travelled  to  Egypt,  and  the  Eaflern  countries,  and 
brought  it  home,  as  information  which  they  had  received 
from  the  fa^^fes  of  thole  countries.  'J'his  was  the  cafe  of 
Thales  in  particular,  and  after  him  of  Pythaf^oras.  SsT'^e- 
ral  ingenious  writers  have  endeavoured  to  fliew  that  the 
heathen  mythology  contains,  in  many  refpe^ls,  a  partial 
and  adulterated  view  of  the  fcripture  hiftory  ;  fee  on  this 
iubje6l.  Abbe  Banier's  mythology  of  the  ancients,  with 
regard  to  the  Greeks  and  Pwomans,  and  Abbe  Pluche's 
hi/lory  of  the  heavens,  with  resjardto  the  Egyptians. 

But  with  regard  to  the  neceffity  of  revelation  in  general, 
what  feems  particularly  decifive  is,  that  by  a  fair  examina- 
tion of  the  matter,  and  the  univerfal  confent  of  all  na- 
tions, men  in  a  (late  of  nature  are  chargeable  with  guilt. 
Whatever  may  be  faid  either  of  original  fin,  or  inherent 
pollution,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  there  is  much  moral 
evil  in  the  world.  So  true  is  this,  that  the  hidory  of  the 
world  is  little  elfe  than  the  hillory  of  human  guilt.  They 
that  would  evade  this,  by  faying  men  are  only  imperfedt, 
do  not  obferve  that  they  are  guilty  of  fuch  crimes  as  are 
flrongly  condemned  by  their  own  reafon  and  confcience^ 
Now,  Vv'hether  there  is  any  forgivenefs  of  fin  and  place 
for  repentance  ;  and  if  at  all,  upon  what  terms,  can  ne- 
ver be  determined  but  by  an  exprefs  revelation.  This  is 
implied  in  the  nature  of  guilt.  Guilt  is  a  liablenefs  to  jufl 
punijhment :  now,  whether  God  will  remit  a  punifli- 
inent  which  he  may  inflidt  with  juitice,  muft  refl  ulti- 
mately with  himfelf,  and  no  reafoning  can  decide  upon 
it.  Try  it  who  will,  every  argument  brought  in  favour  of 
the  remiifion,  will  militate  againft  the  jufiice  of  the  punifli- 
ment.  This  appears  from  the  very  language  of  perfons 
difpofed  to  fuch  fentimenis,  for  they  cannot  help  faying. 

Vol.  IV.  D 


26  LectuYes  on  Dmnity. 

and  indeed  they  have  notbinpf  elfe  to  fay,  but  that  it  is 
probable,  for  it  would  be  hard  to  fuppofe  that  every  tranf- 
greffion  iliould  be  puniflied  with  divine  vengeance  :  but 
pray  let  us  confider  this  way  of  fpeaking ;  where  is  the 
hardfliip  ?  Is  juftice  hard  ?  On  the  contrary,  it  is  glori- 
ous and  amiable.  I  confefs  it  is  difficult  for  us  finful  crea- 
tures to  confefs,  and  ilill  more  difficult  from  the  heart  to 
believe,  that  every  fin  deferves  God's  wrath  and  curfe, 
both  in  this  life  and  that  which  is  to  come ;  it  is  however 
the  necelfary  confequence,  not  of  one,  but  of  the  whole 
fyflem  of  fcripture  truths.  There  you  have  in  every  page, 
the  higheft  encomiums  upon  the  mercy  and  compafFion  oi 
God.  Thefe  are  all  without  meaning,  and  contrary  to 
truth,  if  it  would  have  been  the  leaft  impeachment  of  the 
righteoufnefs  of  God  to  have  fuffered  the  penalty  to  take 
place.  Pardon,  if  the  word  is  under ftood,  mult  be  free. 
Benignity  and  goodnefs  to  the  innocent,  is  a  part  of  the 
chara6\er  of  the  Deity  in  natural  religion  :  but  mercy  to 
the  guilty,  belongs  wholly  to  revelation.  Accordingly, 
it  is  upon  this  point,  that  all  the  heathen  religions  have 
turned.  Expiation  feems  to  have  been  the  great  purpofe 
of  all  religion,  whether  true  or  falfe.  "  Wherewith  ihall 
I  come  before  the  Lord  ?"  &c.  The  neceflity  of  revela- 
tion was  acknowledged  by  many  of  the  heathens  in  their 
writings.  Of  thefe,  the  laying  of  Socrates  to  Alcibiades 
was  a  remarkable  example,  that  it  was  reafonable  to  ex- 
pert God  would  fend  one  into  the  world  to  deliver  men 
from  ignorance  and  error,  and  bring  them  to  the  know- 
ledge of  himfelf. 


Lectures  on  Dhiniiy,  if 

LECTURE    IV. 
On  the  Truth  of  the  Christian  Religion. 


HAVING  endeavoured  to  eftablifh  the  truth  of  reve- 
lation in  general,  we  come  to  the  truth  of  the 
Chriitian  religion  in  particular.  The  proofs  of  this  are 
fo  many,  and  laid  down  fo  difi^rently,  according  as  the 
adverfaries  of  the  truth  have  fliifted  their  ground,  that  it 
is  impoflible  to  enumerate  them,  and  indeed  not  eafy  to 
clafs  them.  There  is  one  introductory  way  of  reafoning, 
which  may  be  called  comparative — to  refledt  on  the  infi- 
nite difference  between  the  Ghriftian,  and  all  other  pre- 
tended revelations.  If  the  necelTity  of  revelation  has  been 
properly  and  fully  eftablifhed,  then  comparifons  between 
the  feveral  pretences  to  it  feem  to  be  juft,  and  even  con- 
clufive.  Now  I  think  it  does  not  admit  of  hefitation,  that 
with  refpe^Sl  to  purity,  eonfiftency,  fublimity,  dignity,  and 
every  excellence  which  a  manifeftation  of  the  true  God 
muft  be  fuppofed  to  have,  the  Ghriftian  religion  is  fuperi- 
or  to  every  other.  The  heathen  fuperftitions  have  not 
now  fo  much  as  an  advocate.  Infidels  do  not  now  plead  for 
Jupiter,  Juno,  Mars,  and  Apollo,  but  for  the  fufficiency  of 
human  reafon  :  and  indeed,  an  age  or  two  after  the  publi- 
cation of  the  gofpel,  that  whole  corrupt  fyftem  which  had 
been  fupported  fo  long  by  ignorance  and  credulity,  fell  to 
the  ground. 

PaiTing  from  this  detached  and  preliminary  conride- 
ration,  the  proofs  of  the  Ghriftian  religion  are  very  com- 
monly divided  into  evidence  internal  and  external.  By 
the  fir  ft  of  thefe  we  are  to  underftand  the  excellency  of  the 
dodrine,  as  agreeable  to  the  dilates  of  reafon  and  con- 
fcience,  and  having  a  tendency  to  produce  the  happieft 
effeds.  Under  this  head  alfo  comes  the  charadter  of  the 
founder  of  the  Ghriftian  faith,  and  every  thing  conneded 
with  this  or  the  former  particular.     By  the  external  evi. 


^8  JLeciurcs  on  Dmnhy 

dence,  v/e  are  to  underdand  the  miracles  wrought  in  at- 
tedation  of  the  truth  of  the  dodlrine  ;  the  nature  and  fub- 
jt6l  of  thefe  miracles,  the  eredibllity  of  the  witnefles,  and 
every  thinnj  uecefTary  to  fupport  this  tellimony.  It  is 
difficult  however,  to  colleft  the  evidence  under  thole  heads, 
without  often  intermixing  the  one  with  the  other.  I  have 
therefore  thought  the  evidences  of  the  trudi  of  the  Ghrif- 
tian  religion,  might  be  as  well  divided  in  a  different  way. 
Firll,  into  two  heads  under  the  following  titles  ;  i.  Col- 
lateral, and'2.  Dire£]  and  pofitive  proof.  And  again  to 
divide  the  collateral  into  two  parts,  and  take  the  one  of 
them  before,  and  the  other  aiter  the  dlrett  evidencej  under 
the  titles  oi presiimpthe  and  consequential. 

I.  Let  us  confider  the  prefumptive  evidences  of  the 
truth  of  the  Chriftian  religion,  orthofe  circumftances  that 
recommend  it  to  our  efleem  and  love,  and  are  of  the  na- 
ture of  ftrortg  probabilities  in  its  favour.  Thefe  We  may, 
for  order  fake,  divide  into  fuch  as  relate,  1.  To  the  doc- 
trine taught.  2.  The  perfon  who  is  the  author  and  fubject 
of  it.  3.  The  circumRances  attending  its  publication, 
and  other  probabilities. 

I.  Tiie  do6lrine  taught.  When  this  is  confidered  in 
the  way  of  an  argument  for  its  adlual  truth,  it  reds  upon 
this  principle,  that  every  dodlrine  that  comes  from  Goci 
mud  be  excellent  ;  that  therefore,  if  the  doclrine  did  not 
appear  of  itfelf  to  be  excellent,  it  would  be  rejetied  with- 
out further  examination,  becaufe  not  worthy  of  God  ;  and 
on  the  contrary,  that  if  it  appears  excellent,  amiable,  ufer 
ful,  it  is  fome  prefumption  that  the  claim  of  a  divine  ori- 
ginal, isjuil.  It  is  a  jult  refle6\ion  on  Chrid's  dodlrine, 
never  man  fpake  like  this  man,  as  well  as  the  following, 
:po  man  can  do  the  miracles  that  thou  dod,  except  Gqd 
be  with  him.  Under  this  great  head  of  excellence,  or  a 
doQrine  worthy  of  God,  may  be  confidered  feparately — 
J,  Its  Sublimity.  2.  Purity.  3.  Eflicacy.  4  Plainnefs. 
5.  Conddency. 

I.  Sublimity.  The  dotftrines  contained  in  fcripture 
concerning  God,  his  works,  and  creatures,  and  his  rela- 
tion to  them,  is  what  mud  neceffarily  have  the  approbation 
0f  unprejudiced  reafon,  and  indeed  is  the.  moll  nobk  thai; 


Lectures  on  Dhinity,  29 

can  be  conceived.  His  fpiritiial  nature  infinitely  remov- 
ed from  inadlive  matter,  incapable  of  groffnefs,  and  of 
fenfual  indulgence.  The  unity  of  God,  fo  contrary  to 
the  prevailing  fentiments  under  heathenifh  darknefs,  yet 
how  manifefily  rational.  Strange,  indeed,  that  the  whole 
world  fliould  have  been  in  a  mi  (lake  on  this  fubjedl,  and 
the  Jews,  a  defpifed  nation,  in  an  obfcure  corner  of  Pa- 
leftine,  fhould  alone  have  difcovered  and  embraced  ih 
The  immenfity  of  God  filling  heaven  and  earth  with  his 
prefence.  His  omnipotence  in  creating  all  things  by  his 
word.  His  holinefs,  juflice,  goodnefs  and  truth  :  tothefe 
we  may  add  the  conRant  influence  of  his  providence,  as 
the  Lord  of  nature,  the  witnefs  and  the  judge  of  all.  Ve- 
ry beautifully  the  prophet  fays,  "  can  any  of  the  vanities 
of  the  Gentiles  caufe  rain  ;"  fo  the  apoftle  Paul,  *'  never- 
thelefs  he  left  not  himfelf  without  a  witnefs,"  &.c.  The 
moral  government  of  God,  as  taught  in  fcripture,  is  ex- 
ceedingly rational  and  fatisfying,  reprefenting  his  great 
patience  and  long-fuffering,  to  be  followed  by  a  time  of 
ioly  and  righteous  retribution.  The  mixture  of  good  and 
evil  that  is  plainly  to  be  obferved,  is  by  this  means  clearly 
explained,  and  fully  accounted  for.  On  the  fublimity  of 
the  fcripture  dodlrines,  fome  are  fond  of  dwelling  upon  the 
majefty  of  God,  and  the  fublimity  of  the  fcriptures  ia 
fentiment  and  language,  as  well  as  matter.  Upon  this 
part  of  the  fubjedl,  things  have  beenfaid,  and  the  contro- 
verfy  taken  up,  on  different  footings.  We  have  one  ad* 
verfary  to  religion.  Lord  Shaftfbury,  who  has  been  at 
much  pains  to  vilify  the  fcriptures  on  the  fubje(Sl  of  llile 
and  cornpofition,  and  to  pretend,  that  if  it  were  the 
work  of  in fpired  writers,  it  would  be  evidently,  in  its 
manner,  fuperior  to  every  human  produdion.  In  an- 
fwer  to  this  pretence,  there  was  a  book  written,  Black, 
wall's  Sacred  Claflics,  comparing  the  fcriptures  with  the 
ancient  writers,  and  fliewlng  that  there  is  not  any  ble- 
mifli  in  writing  to  be  found  in  the  fcriptures,  but  may  be 
iuftified  by  fimilar  exprefiions  in  the  mofi  approved  clall- 
jcs,  and  that  there  is  no  beauty  in  the  clallic  authors,  in 
which  they  are  not  outdone  by  the  facred  penmen.  This 
bp€k  I  think  i§  well  worth  reading  by  every  fcholar  or  di- 


30  Lectures  on  Dhinhy^ 

vine.  Dr.  Warburton  has  been  pleafed  to  condemn  this 
way  of  juftifyin<T  the  fcriptures,  and  even  to  afErm,  that 
tade  is  a  thing  To  local  and  variable,  that  it  was  a  thing 
impoHihle  to  have  any  book  defi^ned  for  all  mankind,  to 
anfwer  fuch  an  idea  as  Lord  ShaftPoury  feems  to  have  for- 
med; nay,  he  feems  to  deny  that  there  is  any  fuch  thing 
in  nature  as  a  permanent  (landard  of  tafte  and  propriety  in 
writing ;  but  that  there  is  one  manner  for  the  Oriental, 
and  another  for  the  WeRern  writers,  and  that  fuch  have 
their  excellencies,  and  no  comparifon  can  take  place  be- 
tween them.  I  would  -not  choofe  to  join  wholly  with  ei- 
ther of  thefe.  It  is  I  think  plain,  that  it  was  not  the  de- 
lign  of  the  fcriptures  to  be  a  ftandard  for  eloquence,  nor 
does  it  appear  any  way  conneded  with  the  end  of  reveal- 
ing divine  truth  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  feems  to  be  the  pur- 
pofe  of  God,  to  bring  us  from  glorying  in  human  excel- 
lence. On  the  other  hand,  as  I  am  perfuaded  there  is 
a  permanent  ftandard  of  propriety  and  tafte,  fo  I  am  fully 
convinced  there  are  many  examples  of  fublimity  and  ma- 
jdfty  in  the  fcriptures,  fuperior  to  any  uninfpired  writings 
whatfoever. 

2.  The  next  thing  to  be  obferved  of  the  do(Sl:rine,  is  its 
purity  ;  that  is  to  fay,  having  an  evident  tendency  to  pro- 
mote holinefs  in  all  who  believe  and  embrace  it.  That 
this  is  the  defign  and  tendency  of  the  Chriflian  dodlrine, 
is  very  plain.  It  is  its  exprefs  purpofe,  to  ^ti  fm  and  im- 
morality in  the  mod  odious  light,  and  not  barely  to  re- 
commend, but  to  file w  the  abfolute  necelFity  of  holinefs, 
in  all  manner  of  converdition.  It  is  pretended  by  fome  in- 
fidel writers,  that  gravity  and  apparent  fandlity,  is  the  ef. 
fence  of  impoflors,  and  that  all  impodors  do  deliver  a  ^y^- 
tern  of  good  morals.  But  there  is  not  only  one  excellence 
in  the  Chriflian  morals,  but  a  manifell  fuperiority  in 
them,  to  thofe  which  are  derived  from  any  other  fource, 
and  that  in  three  refpeds  :  i.  That  they  are  free  from 
mixture,  not  only  many  things  good,  but  nothing  of  a 
contrary  kind.  2.  That  there  are  precepts  in  the  Chrif- 
tian  morality,  pnd  thofe  of  the  mod  excellent  kind,  very 
little,  if  any  thing  refembling  which,  is  to  be  found  in  un- 
infpired moralids.  The  love  of  God — humility  of  mind 
—the  forgivenefs  of  injuries — and  the  love  of  our  enemies. 


^  Lectured  on  Dhhiiiy,  ^t 

The  love  of  God  may  be  inferred  confequentially,  from 
many  of  the  heathen  writers ;  but  it  is  no  where  fkted 
with  that  propriety  and  fullnefs  as  the  firil  obii.eation  on 
the  creature,  as  it  is  in  the  facred  fcriptures.  Humility 
of  mind,  as  reprefented  in  the  gofpel,  is  wholly  peculiar  to 
it.  It  is  obferved  by  fome,  that  there  is  no  v/ord,  neithe? 
in  the  Greek  nor  Latin  languages,  to  ri,i^nify  it.  Hnmili^ 
tas  in  Latin,  from  whence  the  Englifli  is  derived,  has  a 
different  meaning,  and  fis^nilies  low  and  bafe.  Mansuetu- 
do  animi  in  Latin,  and  Praotces  in  Greek,  are  the  neare/1 
to  it,  but  are-  far  from  being  that ;  even  the  forgivenefs 
of  injuries  and  the  love  of  our  enemies,  are  rather  contra- 
ry to  the  heathen  virtue ;  and  modern  infidels  have  ex- 
prefsly  pretended  that  the  Chriflian  religion,  by  its  pre- 
cepts of  humility  and  meeknefs  and  pafTive  fubmifRon  to 
injury,  has  banifhed  that  heroifm  and  magnanimity  v/hich 
gives  fuch  an  air  of  dignity  to  the  hiftories  of  Greece  and 
Rome.  The  third  particular,  in  which  the  Chriftian  mo- 
rals exceed  all  others,  is  the  excellence  of  the  principle 
from  which  they  ought  to  flov/.  The  law  of  God  is  not 
contra6led  into  governing  the  outward  conduct,  but  reach- 
es to  the  very  heart,  and  requires  further  that  our  obedience 
Ihould  flow,  not  principally  from  a  regard  to  our  own  hap- 
pinefs,  far  lefs  to  our  own  honour,  but  from  a  principle  of 
fubjedlion  in  the  creature  to  the  Creator,  and  a  fmgle  eye 
to  the  glory  of  God. 

III.  The  excellence  of  the  fcripture  dodlrine  appears 
from  its  efficacy.  By  this  I  mean  the  power  it  hath  over 
the  mind,  and  its  adual  influence  in  producing  that  ho- 
linefs  it  recon) mends;  there  are  feveral  things  that  de- 
fer ve  confideration  on  the  eflicacy  of  the  fcripture  doc- 
trine. I.  It  contains  the  greatefl  and  moll  powerful 
motives  to  duty,  and  the  fittell  to  work  on  our  hopes  and 
fears.  Thefe,  I  confefs,  are  much  the  fame  in  general  that 
always  have  been  propofed  as  inducements  to  a  moral 
conduct,  yet  they  are  opened  with  a  fullnefs  and  force  in 
the  fcripture  no  where  elfe  to  be  found.  Eternity  there 
makes  a  very  awful  appearance.  Particularly  v/ith  rsfpedl 
to  the  gofpel  and  the  New  Teihment  difcoveries,  we  are 
told  that  life  and  immortality  are  brought  to  light  by  them. 


3  2  Lectures  on  Dhmlty. 

2.  It  carries  the  greateft  authority  with  it ;  the  principles 
of  duty  are  more  clearly  and  fully  enforced  by  the  proper 
authority,  than  any  where  elfe ;  the  right  of  God,  from 
creation,  to  the  obedience  and  lubmiiTion  of  his  creatures, 
his  additional  title  from  continual  beneficence,  to  which 
ought  to  be  added,  by  Chrid-ians,  the  right  acquired  by 
redemption  ;  to  all  which  is  further  to  be  added,  the  di- 
vine nature  itfelf,  as  our  pattern.  3.  The  effedual  aflift- 
ance,  provided  in  the  fcripture  do£lrine,  to  deliver  us 
from  the  bondage  of  corruption  and  bring  us  to  the  glori- 
ous liberty  of  the  children  of  God  ;  this  is  of  more  confe- 
quencc  than  is  commonly  apprehended  ;  defpair  of  fuccefs 
breaks  the  powers  of  the  mind,  and  takes  away  at  once  the 
will  to  attempt  and  the  power  to  perform,  whereas  effec- 
tual aid  has  juft  the  oppofite  eiTect.  The  dodlrine  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  taking  it  fingly  in  this  view,  is  moil  happily 
calculated  to  animate  men  to  diligence,  and  infpire  them 
with  courage  and  refolution,  and  feems  generally  tofliew 
the  efTicacy  of  the  Chriflian  dcdrine. 

IV.  Another  excellence  of  the  Chriflian  do6lrine  is 
plainnefs;  it  is  level  to  all  capacities,  well  fitted  for  all 
ranks,  rich  and  poor,  wife  and  unwife.  It  is  given  as  one 
of  the  marks  of  the  Mefliab's  coming,  and  is  one  of  the 
glories  of  the  gofpel,  that  it  is  preached  to  the  poor.  Reli- 
gion was  plainly  defigned  for  all  mankind,  their  intereft  in 
it  is  the  lame;  therefore  it  mull  be  plain  and  fimple  ; 
whatever  is  otherwife,  whatever  fyflem  is  built  upon  ab- 
f]ra6\  reafoning,  and  is  evidently  above  the  com prehen fieri 
of  the  vulgar,  is,  for  that  very  reafon,  unfit  for  their  fervice, 
and  carries  a  mark  of  falfehood  upon  itfelf.  There  is  even 
fomething  more  in  the  fimplicity  of  the  gofpel,  than  bare- 
ly the  plainnefs  of  its  truths  and  duties.  It  is  from  firft 
to  lad  founded  upon  faSlsdill  plainer.  A  great  part  of  the 
infpired  writings  is  hiflory  ;  the  Old  Tt ftament  is  found- 
ed upon  the  fail  of  man,  and  is  filled  up  with  the  hillo- 
ry  of  Providence,  or  God's  conduct  to  his  chofen  people? 
and  the  New  Tellament  contains  the  birth,  life,  and 
death,  the  refurredlion  and  afcenfion  of  Chrifc.  So  mate- 
rial a  part  of  the  do6'lrine  do  thtfe  thin^;s  comprife,  that 
the  charadler  of  the  apodles  is  jull  that  of  being  v/iineflts 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  33 

of  Chrifl's  rerurre(Stion.  5.  The  lad  excellence  to  be 
taken  notice  of  in  the  Chrillian  doQrine,  is  itsconTftency. 
This  confiftency  may  be  viewed  to  advantage  in  two  dif- 
ferent lights ;  firlt,  its  confillency  with  itfeif.  It  is  re- 
markable that  the  Chriitian  revelation  is  not  a  fingle  {y{- 
tem  that  was,  or  might  be  fuppofed  to  be,  the  occafional 
prodoQion  of  one  man.  It  extends  from  the  creation, 
downwards,  to  the  prefent  moment,  or  rather,  taking  in 
the  prophecies,  to  the  lall  day  and  confummation  of  all 
things.  It  confills  of  feveral  different  revelations,  and  par- 
ticularly, two  grand  different  difpenfations  of  providence 
and  grace.  The  one  of  thefe  is  perfedlly  confident  with, 
and  fuited  to  the  other.  It  is  not  eafy  to  fuppofe  an  im- 
podor  either  willing  to  perform,  or  able  to  execute,  any- 
thing of  that  kind.  Bat  when  we  confider  the  creation, 
and  the  fall  of  the  Old  Teflament  difpenfation,  and  the 
prophets  of  the  different  and  diftant  ages,  confpiring  to  for- 
v^ard  one  great  defign,  and  the  appearance  of  the  long  pro- 
mifed  Saviour,  at  the  fullnefs  of  time,  fo  exactly  corre- 
fponding  to  it,  it  takes  away  the  poifibility  of  a  concert,  and 
therefore  the  fufpicions  of  an  impodor.  It  is  alfo  con- 
fident with  the  a6lual  date  of  the  world,  in  which  we  find 
two  things  very  remarkable,  i.  A  great  depravity,  and 
wickednefs.  Men  may  fpeak  and  write  what  they  pleafe, 
upon  the  beauty,  excellence,  and  dignity  of  human  na- 
ture, taking  their  ideas  from  the  dictates  of  confcience,  as 
to  what  we  ought  to  be.  But  it  is  beyond  all  controver- 
fy,  that  if  we  take  mankind  from  the  faithful  records  of  hif- 
tory,  and  examine  what  they  have  been,  we  fhall  have  no 
great  reafon  to  admire  the  beauty  of  the  pifture.  What 
is  the  fame  of  the  greated  heroes  of  antiquity  ?  Is  it  not 
that  either  of  conquerors  or  law-givers  ?  Conquerors 
give  clear  tedimony  to  the  wickednefs  of  man,  by  filling 
the  earth  with  blood,  and  lliewing  us  what  havock  has 
been  made  in  all  ages,  of  man  by  man.  And  what  is  it 
that  law-givers  have  done,  but  didinguiflied  themfelves  by 
the  bed  means  of  repelling  violence  and  redraining  the 
ungoverned  luds  and  appetites  of  men.  Now  the  Chrid- 
tian  religion  is  the  only  one  that  gives  a  clear  and  confif- 
tent  account  of  human  depravity,  and  traces  it  to  its  very 
Vol.  IV.  E 


24  Lectures  on  Dkinity* 

original  fource.  This  confiflency  of  the  doQrines  of  re- 
ligion with  the  adlual  ftate  of  the  world,  and  prefent  con- 
dition of  the  nature  of  man,  is  very  convincing  in  the 
way  of  collateral  or  prefumptive  proof.  The  other  par- 
ticular  remarkable  in  the  (late  of  the  world,  is,  the  univer- 
fal  prevalence  of  the  offering  of  facrifices,  a  thing  found 
among  all  nations,  and  which  continued  till  the  coming 
of  Ghrift.  Thefe  facrifices  were  a  confefTion  of  guilt,  for 
they  were  always  confidered  as  an  expiation.  But  befides 
this,  it  does  not  appear  how  they  could  have  occurred, 
even  in  that  view,  unlefs  they  had  been  at  firft  a  matter 
of  revelation,  and  handed  down  to  mankind  by  tradition, 
and  carried  with  them  in  their  difperfiori  over  the  whole 
world.  It  does  not  appear  how  any  body  could  have  ima- 
gined, that  taking  away  the  life  of  a  beaft  fhould  be  any 
atonem.ent  for  the  fin  oF  a  man  ;  much  lefs  does  it  appear 
how  every  body  fhould  have  agreed  in  imagining  that 
fame  thing.  But  if  you  take  it  in  conjundion  with  the 
truths  of  the  gofpel,  its  agreement  appears  manifefl,  and 
its  univerfal  prevalence  is  eafily  accounted  for.  Thefe  fa- 
crifices were  inftituted  and  ordained  of  God,  as  typical  of 
the  great  propitiatory  facrifice  to  be  offered  in  the  fullnefs 
of  time,  by  Chrilt  upon  the  crofs. 


LECTURE  V. 


WE  proceed  now  to  the  fecond  branch  of  this 
head,  to  confider  the  prefumptive  proof  of 
the  truth  of  the  Chridian  religion,  arifing  from  die  perfon 
who  is  the  founder  of  it.  He  is  indeed  not  only  the  founder 
of  it,  but  the  fubjecl  of  it;  for  the  whole  may  be  faid  to 
relate  to  his  perfon  and  undertaking.  For  order  fake,  let 
us  here  confider  fcparately,  i.  His  charaQer.  2.  His 
fituation  and  hopes.  3.  The  fpirit  of  his  religion.  4.  The 
meafures  he  took  to  promote  it. 


Lectures  on  Dmnity,  35 

I.  His  character — This  as  painted  in  the  ^ofpels,  in 
their  fjmple,  unaiTe^led,  i:!id  thererore  probably  genuine 
narratives,  is  truly  adiiiirable — the  moil  meek  and  gen- 
tie,  the  moft  tender-hearted,  the  mofl  truly  benevolent, 
and  adlive  without  oReiitation,  and  the  whole  crowned 
and  illuilrated  by  fortitude  and  patience,  and  the  moft  un- 
conditional rubje<Slion  to  divine  Providence.  It  is  unne- 
celTary  to  go  through,  at  length  the  various  excellencies 
that  adorned  the  man  Chrift  Jefus.  Thofewhoare  acquaint- 
ed with  the  gofpel  hiftory,  will  fee  the  beauty  and  proprie. 
ty  of  the  apotUe  John's  exprelTion,  ift  chapter  of  his  gofpel, 
and  14th  verfe,  ''  And  the  Word  was  made  flefli,  and 
*'  dwelt  among  us."  It  is  not  improper  to  adduce  here,  the 
cvangelifts'  authorities  becaufe  they  were  his  difciples  and 
may  be  fuppofed  interefted  parties.  For  they  are  the  on- 
ly witnefies  from  whom  we  can  expedl  a  teftimony  upoa 
this  fubjedt ;  and  confidering  them  as  employed  in  giving 
a  full  account  of  his  character  and  life,  however  they  might 
be  fuppofed  to  difguife  or  add,  they  could  not  wholly  con- 
ceal a  character  fundamentally  wrong  :  and  as  there  are 
more  of  them  than  one,  it  would  have  been  impofTible 
for  them  to  have  avoided  inconfiftencies  and  claihing,  if 
they  had  not  kept  to  the  truth  in  point  of  fa<5t,  at  leaft,  if 
not  of  character  ;  and  indeed  their  whole  hiftories  are  fadls 
without  any  laboured  encomiums,  which  carry  the  moft 
internal  marks  of  fmcerity  of  any  hiftories  extant  among 
men. 

There  feems  not  only  no  defign  to  embellifh  their  maf- 
ter's  character,  but  none  to  conceal  the  defeds  of  their 
own.  It  is  from  the  partizans  of  Mahomet  only,  and 
what  they  have  recited  of  his  hiftory,  including  his  own 
writings,  that  we  learn  his  avarice,  pride,  and  luft.  Add 
to  this,  that  indifferent  writers  among  the  heathens  have 
Jpoken  to  the  praife  of  Jefus.  I  am  fenfible  however,  and 
think  it  beft  to  inform  you,  that  feveral  of  die  writings 
taken  notice  of  by  feme  of  the  ancient  fathers,  are  pro- 
bably fpurious,  as  the  letters  from  Agbarus  King  of  Edef- 
fa  to  Chrift,  and  the  letter  in  anfwer  to  it  from  Chrift  ta 
him.  Eufebius  tells  the  ftory  of  Agbarus  having  heard  of 
Chrift's  fame,  and  fending  to  him  to  come  and  cure  him*. 


36  Lectures  on  Dmnlty, 

Eufeblus  in  this  cafe  feems  really  to  have  given  credit  to 
it,  on  the  memorials  preiented  to  him  by  the  church  of 
Edefla — But  the  language  given  to  Agbarus  is  too  like  that 
of  a  ChrilVian,  and  the  anfwer  of  Jefus  Chrift  is  mifqno- 
ting,  as  v/ell  as  mifmterpreting  fcripture.  See  Dupin's  Ec- 
cleiiallical  Hiftory.  The  letters  faid  to  be  from  the  Vir- 
gin Mary,  are  evident  forgeries  of  a  late  date.  The  let- 
ter faid  to  be  from  Pilate  to  Tiberius,  is  not  fo  univerfal- 
ly  acknowledged  to  be  falfe.  Bifliop  Pearfon  has  largely 
and  learnedly  defended  it,  and  it  is  very  poffible  there 
might  be  fome  account  fent  from  Pilate  to  Rome  at  the 
time  of  ChHft's  crucifixion,  even  though  the  letter  now  to 
be  feen  fliould  not  be  genuine.  There  is  alio  a  palTage 
of  Jofephus,  and  in  all  the  manufcripts  of  that  author,  ve. 
ry  favorable  to  the  charadler  of  Chrilh  However  without 
going  further  into  the fe,  the  very  lilence  of  Jofephus,  who 
is  known  to  have  been  an  enemy  to  the  Chrillian  faith,  is 
an  evidence  that  he  had  nothing  to  objefl  againft  the  cha- 
radler  of  Chrift,  as  he  certainly  would  have  done  it  wil- 
lingly, and  in  the  hiftory  of  the  Jews  had  fo  fair  an  oppor- 
tunity.— The  character  then  of  Chrifl  was  not  only  blame- 
lefs,  but  amiable.  This  is  certainly  a  confiderable  pre- 
fumption  in  his  favor.  His  credentials  deferve  to  be  con- 
fidered  with  care,  and  his  pretenfions  to  be  weighed  with 
impartiality  ;  nor  ought  it  to  be  forgotten  here,  that  his 
own  fmcerity  was  proven  in  the  moil  unqueflionable  man- 
ner. He  fealed  his  teflimony  with  his  blood.  That  he 
was  tried,  condemned,  and  crucified  for  his  pretenfions, 
is  abfolutely  certain.  This  is  one  of  the  moft  important 
fads  in  the  hifiory  of  the  gofpel,  and  it  does  not  admit  of 
any  doubt,  for  his  enemies  reproach  him  with  it,  and  his 
friends  affirm  and  glory  in  it.  We  may  depend  upon  it 
therefore  that  he  was  fincere.  He  would  never  forfeit  all 
that  could  be  dear  on  earth,  and  fufter  an  ignominious 
death,  for  what  he  knew  to  be  falfe. 

II.  Let  us  next  confider  his  fituation  and  hopes.  In  any 
great  and  hazardous  undertaking,  efpecially  in  an  impof- 
tor,  there  muil  be  fome  poffible  or  probable  way  of  ac- 
counting for  the  motives  of  the  deceiver.  In  this  cafe 
there  is  nothing  that  can  lead  us  to  fuppofe,  or  that  can 


Lectures  07i  Dhinity,  '37 

well  admit  the  fuppofition,  of  his  contriving  a  cunninp^ly 
devifed  fable.  He  was  of  that  rank  in  life  which  could 
not  readily  infpire  that  refolution  ;  he  was  of  that  fort  of 
education  that  could  not  fit  him  for  carrying  it  into  prac- 
tice, or  give  the  leaft  probable  hopes  of  fuccefs,  if  he 
fliould  attempt  it.  When  his  enemies,  as  they  all  did  at 
iirll,  called  him  the  carpenter  and  the  carpenter's  fon,  they 
did  not  obferve  the  force  of  that,  when  impartially  confi- 
dered.  One  of  no  higher  capacity  and  inftru£lion,  could 
neither  be  fuppofed  fit  to  conceive  or  execute  fo  noble  a 
defign.  Could  he,  fuppofing  him  a  mere  man,  in  that 
fphere  of  life,  have  the  lead  expe6\ation  of  prevailing  over 
the  power  and  wifdom  of  the  world  combined  againil  him  ? 
Whoever  weighs  this  with  impartiality,  will  find  it  very 
fatisfying  and  convincing  to  the  mind. 

III.  It  receives,  however,  great  additional  force  from  the 
next  particular,  viz.  the  fpirit  of  his  religion,  and  that 
fcheme  of  doctrine  and  fyftem  of  duty,  which  he  promul- 
gated and  iupported.  It  was  directly  oppofed  (in  the  firll 
place)  to  the  prejudices  of  the  Jews,  Could  we  even  fup- 
pofe,  which  is  otherwife  fo  difficult,  that  all  the  preparatory 
difpenfations,  and  the  whole  concordant  fucceflion  of  Jev/- 
ifli  Prophets,  and  the  general  perfuafion  of  the  Jews  and 
the  Eaflern  part  of  the  world,  (tefi:ified  by  the  Heathen 
Hifiorians)  that  a  great  prince  was  to  come  from  that 
country  and  lay  the  foundation  of  a  lading  dominion, 
happened  by  chance. — Could  we  next  fuppofe,  that  a 
cunning  impofior,  finding  things  in  this  iituation,  was 
willing  to  take  the  advantage  of  it,  and  pafs  himielf  upon 
the  v^'orld  for  the  expelled  prince,  he  would  no  doubt  have 
formed  his  plan  upon  the  views  which  the  Jews  had;  and 
muft  have  founded  his  hope  of  fuccefs  entirely  upon  this 
circumftance.  They  expelled  a  temporal  pririce,  and 
he  came  an  humble  teacher,  and  fuf/ering  Saviour.  ^  Y.y 
this  means  he  had  not  only  the  dift^ofition  of  tlie  corrupt, 
but  the  prejudices  of  the  befl:  part  of  his  countrymen,  to 
oppofe.  What  a  llrange  fciieme  of  human  contrlvancj ! 
he  had  no  reafon  to  think  he  could  convince  men,  and 
he  taught  that  it  was  unlawful  to  force  them  !  This  rea- 
foning  is  fupported  by  experieace.     In  fudl,  during  tlie 


35  Lectures  on  Dhhitty^ 

period  from  Chriil's  death  to  the  deftruftion  of  Jerufalem, 
there  were  many  impoUors  who  made  their  appearance, 
and  they  every  one  took  the  mealures  I  have  defcribed 
above.  The  Jews  expected  a  mighty  Conqueror,  and 
they  always  appeared  at  the  head  of  a  band  of  lighting 
men.  Every  impoUor  would  act  the  fame  part  in  a  fimi- 
3arx:afe. — Again,  as  his  plan  was  oppofed  to  the  prejudices 
of  the  Jews,  fo  indeed  it  was  oppofed  to  the  prejudices  of 
human  nature.  The  crofs  of  Ghrifl  was  fooliftmefs  to  the 
Greeks,  as  well  as  a  flumbling-block  to  the  Jews.  The 
humility  and  felf-denial  of  the  gofpel  and  the  precepts  of 
paffive  lubmifTion,  as  well  as  the  diltind  account  our  Sa- 
viour gives  to  his  difciples  of  the  oppofition  and  fuffering 
they  mult  exped,  had  nothing  in  them  alluring  to  the 
world  in  general,  and  did  not  feem  at  all  calculated  to 
draw  away  difciples  after  him.  When  1  fay  this,  I  am 
very  fenfible  that  moral  precepts,  in  fome  degree,  muft 
iandify  even  an  impofture  itfelf.  If  any  man  were  to 
pretend  a  divine  miffion,  and  teach  grofs  immorality,  he 
would  be  defpifed  and  dilbelieved,  even  by  immoral  men. 
But  a  contrived  religion,  that  the  contriver  wilhes  to 
proceed,  muft  be  accommodated  to  human  tafte. — Where- 
as, like  the  religion  of  Ghrift,  true  religion  has  been,  is, 
and  ahvays  w^ili  be,xontrary  to  the  fpirit  of  the  world. — I 
Ihall  juft  add  that  the  founder  of  the  Chriflian  faith  did 
not  contrive  his  religion,  fuppofmg  it  ever  fo  fuccefsful, 
in  fuch  a  way  as  to  bring  honor  or  profit  to  himfelf,  or 
thofe  who  fhould  be  afterwards  concerned  in  the  admini- 
~  ilration  of  it.  Inllead  of  preaching  up  form  and  cere- 
mony, [lately  temples,  and  coftly  facrifices,  he  preached 
them  down,  and  fhev/ed  that  they  were  vain,  when 
confidered  in  themfelves,  and  only  valuable  as  types  and 
ihadows ;  fo  that  they  v/ere  to  ceafe  after  his  appearance. 
Inllead  of  exalting  his  prieits  and  m.inifters,  he  makes 
them  fervants  of  all :  This  reflexion  upon  pure  religion 
and  undefiled,  as  delivered  by  our  Saviour  himfelf,  v/ili 
appear  to  have  great  force,  if  you  confider,  that  it  is  from 
this  very  quarter  that  all  the  corruptions  of  Chriftianity 
in  the  following  ages  took  their  rife  ;  they  proceeded  from 


Lectures  on  Dhinity*  39 

that  love  of  pomp  And  power,  and  the  influence  of  that 
worldly  fpirit  which  he  took  fo  much  pains  to  reftrain. 

IV.  Let  us  confider  what  meafures  he  fell  upon  to 
procure  a  favourable  reception  to  his  doctrine.  He  call- 
ed and  employed  twelve  poor  illiterate  fifhermen,  no  way 
qualified  for  fuch  an  undertaking. 

On  this  part  of  the  fubjedt  it  has  been  often  fhewn  with 
great  force  of  reafon,  that  if  the  gofpel  were  a  fable,  the 
apoflles  who  bore  fo  great  a  part  in  its  firft  publication, 
muft  have  been  impollorsor  enthufiafls,  deceivers,  or  de- 
ceived ;  both  thefe  points  have  been  labored  by  feveral 
eminent  writers,  and  it  has  been  iliewn  that  they  could 
not  be  either  the  one  or  the  other.     Not  deceivers,  becaufe 
they  had  not  the  lead  temptation  to  it.     There  was  not 
only  nothing  to  gain  by  it,  but  they  were  obliged  to  fuf- 
fer  the  lofs  of  all  things  for  their  adherence  to  the  Saviour. 
Poverty  they  muft  and  did  fuffer,  during  his  life-time ; 
and  though,  during  a  great  part  of  his  perfonal  miniftry, 
they  had  the  favour  of  the  people,  yet  about  the  time,  and 
ever  after  his  crucifixion,  when  the  apollles  came  to  ap- 
pear upon  the  fcene,  continual  reproach  and  univerfal 
(corn  was  their  portion ;  the  truth  is,  they  feem  to  have 
been  forced  into  the  fervice,  for  a  mixture  of  fear  and  un- 
belief made  them  all  forfake  him  and  fly,  when  he  came 
to  his  laft   confli6l.     Neither  could  they  be  enthufialls, 
and  themfelves  under  the  power  of  delufion,  for  many  rea- 
fons.     Their  mafter  was  well  known  to  them,  living  with 
them  in  a  ftate  of  the  moft  intimate  familiarity.     It  was 
not  to  a  fmgle  fad  that  they  bore  teftimony,  but  to  a  whole 
charadler  and  life.     His  miracles  alfo  were  all  plain  and 
public,    and   of  fuch   a  nature  as  that  the    deceit  mull 
have  been  eafily  perceived.     But  there  is  another  circum- 
ftance  more  powerful  than  any  other,  he  profefled  to  en- 
dow thefe  his  difciples  with  a  power  of  working  mira- 
cles themfelves.     Now  certainly  in  this  they  could  not 
be  deceived.      A  man  may,  by  great  flight  and  addrcfs, 
make  me  believe  he  does  a  thing  that  he  cannot  do ;  but 
to  make  me  believe  that  I  myfelf,  through  my  whole  life, 
and  at  a  diftance  from  him,  and  even  after  his  death, 
can,  and  do  perform  many  things,  which  yet  I  do  not, 


4a  Lectures  on  Dhlnity, 

is  plainly  more  than  improbable ;  it  is  literally  impoffi- 
ble.  So  jud  are  thefe  remarks,  that  in  fa£t,  even  the 
difciples  of  Chrifl  themfelves,  appear  fo  far  from  having 
laid  any  fcheme  of  delufion,  that  they  appear  plainly,  at 
iirll,  to  have  been  under  the  fame  prejudices  with  the  reft 
of  the  Jews.  They  leem  evidently  to  have  expe£led  him 
to  appear  as  a  temporal  prince  and  conqueror;  and  pro- 
bably their  hopes  of  honor  and  offices  in  the  kingdom 
which  he  was  to  e.llablilh,  contributed  at  firft,  in  part,  to 
their  yielding  to  the  evidence  of  his  divine  power.  This 
feems  to  have  been  the  import  of  the  requeft  of  the  mo- 
ther of  James  and  John,  "  Lord  grant  that  thefe  my  two 
"  fons  may  fit,"  &c.  as  alfo  it  feems  to  have  been  the 
meaning  of  this  quefiion,  put  to  him  by  his  difciples  in 
general,  Adls.  i.  6.  Lord  wilt  thou  at  this  time  reftore 
*'  the  kingdom  to  Ifrael  ?"  If  this  was  the  cafe,  can  any 
perfon  believe  they  were  deceived  ?  would  not  the  difap- 
pointment  of  their  carnal  expedtations  have  provoked 
them  to  forfake  him,  if  they  had  not  been  brought  under 
the  power  of  inward  convidlion,  from  what  they  faw  and 
heard  ? 

It  is  proper  to  remark  here  upon  the  meafures  he  took 
to  procure  reception  to  his  dofilrine,  that  he  framed  his  re- 
ligion totally  different  in  kind,  and  in  principle,  from  all 
the  heathen  religions. 

They  differed  from  one  another  in  the  obje6ls  of  their 
worlhip,  and  in  their  feveral  rites,  but  they  were  all  fup- 
pofed  to  be  confiftent.  There  were,  in  different  countries 
and  even  cities,  different  gods  and  different  ways  of  wor- 
fliip;  perhaps  alfo  different  families  had  various  houfe- 
hold  goods  in  one  city  ;  but  they  were  not  fuppofed  to  be 
deftru6Vive  of  each  others  divinity  ;  fo  that  it  was  eafy  to 
introduce  the  worfhip  of  a  deity  into  any  place  in  which 
it  had  not  been  before.  It  was  remarked  of  Athens  by 
an  ancient  writer,  becaufe  of  its  readinefs  to  adopt  the 
worihip  of  every  divinity,  that  it  was  hofpitable  to  the  gods. 
But  Chriil  on  the  contrary,  in  his  religion  equally  oppofed 
them  all,  declaring  that  the  gods  made  with  hands  which 
the  Gentiles  worfhipped,  were  no  gods.  This  was  high- 
ly confonant  to  reafon,  becaufe  no  lie  is  of  the  truth  ;  yet 


Lectures  on  Dhhuty,  41 

It  would  have  been  highly  impolitic  in  an  impoflor,  and 
indeed  would  not  readily  have  occurred  to  an  impoftor. 
It  is  remarkable  that  Lord  Shaftfbury  has  attacked  the 
Chriftiaa  religion  on  this  very  head  :  he  commends  the 
heathen  religion  as  of  a  fociable  nature,  whereas  the  Chrif- 
tlan  is  abhorrent  from  all  others.  This  fhevvs  how  much 
the  greateft  men  may  be  macle  filly  by  prejudices;  for  no- 
thing can  be  plainer,  than  that  v/hatever  is  according  to 
truth,  mult  be  oopofite  to  every  falfehood. — When  we 
put  all  thefe  things  together,  with  the  enlargements  of 
which  they  are  capable,  and  which  will  probably  occur  to 
mod:  of  you  in  hearing,  they  feem  to  take  away  all  polTu 
bility  of  fuppofmg  the  gofpel  to  be  the  produdt  of  an  im- 
poftor. 

in.  The  third  general  head  of  prefumptive  evidence, 
contains  the  circumftances  attending  the  publication  of 
the  gofpel.  Many  of  thefe  are  worthy  of  obfervation,  and 
we  (hall  find  that,  taking  them  fingly  or  coUei^ively,  they 
are  in  general  fuch  as,  fuppofnlg  the  gofpel  to  be  true, 
greatly  illuftrate  the  wifdom  of  God  in  the  choice  of  them; 
but  on  the  other  fuppofition,  they  were  the  moft  unfavor- 
able for  procuring  a  reception,  and  caufmg  fuccefs  to  an 
impoflor. — The  time 'of  Chriil's  appearance  is  called  ia 
furipture  the  fulnefs  of  time.  This  irKleed  may  be  un- 
derfiood  as  only  meaning  the  appointed  time — that  which 
had  been  fixed  by  the  ancient  prophecies.  There  are 
however  many  other  refpecls,  in  which  it  may  be  called 
the  fulnefs  of  time.  The  ignorance  and  wickednefs  of 
the  world  had  come  to  a  full  height.  The  remains  of 
tradition  for  many  ages  continued  to  have  fome  effed, 
but  were  by  this  time  v/holly  obliterated  by  the  inven- 
tions of  men. 

There  had  alfo  been  full  time  to  try  every  other  method 
of  reformation;  {o  that  the  intervention  of  divine  provi- 
dence, according  to  the  tefiimony  of  feveral  heathen  wri- 
ters, was  become  neceflary.  Whoever  will  look  into  the 
reafoning  of  Cicero,  ''  De  natura  Deorum,"  and  his  othec 
moral,  or  theological  difputations,  will  have  a  very  clear 
and  full  conviction,  how  much  men  of  the  fined  genius 
and  greatefl  penetration,  v; ere  bewildered  upon  the  fubjedt 

Vol.  IV.  F 


42  Lectures  on  Dhinhy, 

of  religion.  This  very  thing  indeed  has  been  recommend- 
ed by  feme  judicious  perfons  for  a  man  to  fatisfy  himfelf 
of  the  necfcflity  of  revelation  in  general,  and  if  this  is  fully 
done,  the  acceptance  of  the  Chriftian  religion  follows  as  a 
fpeedy  confequence. 

We  may  alfo  take  notice,  that  the  world  in  general  at 
the  time  of  Chriil's  appearance,  was  fitted  in  a  manner 
it  never  had  been  before,  for  fpreading  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth  with  the  greateR  facility  and  fpeed.  The  Ro* 
man  Empire,  which  had  rifen  gradually,  was  then  ex- 
tended in  a  manner  over  the  whole  known  world.  Be- 
fore that  time,  the  immenfe  number  of  fmall,  indepen- 
dent, and  con)monly  hoftile  ftates,  rendered  mutual  ac- 
cefs  and  intercourfe  far  more  difiicult.  it  is  true,  before 
this,  the  AiTyrian  and  Pcrfian  monarchies  were  of  con- 
fiderable  extent,  but  neither  comparable  to  this,  nor  of  any 
long  duration.  But  now  the  nations  being  united  under 
one  head,  it  was  eafy  to  carry  the  tidinps  of  falvation  to 
the  moll  diOant  corners.  Add  to  this  the  favorable  cir- 
cumflance,  that  there  was  peace  over  all  the  world  at  the 
time  of  Chrift's  birth;  a  fit  emblem  oF  his  chara6ltr  who 
was  the  Prince  olPeace.  It  was  alfo  ciefigned  for  ano- 
ther purpofe,  that  there  might  be  eafy  accefs  and  oppor- 
tunity to  the  Apofiles,  to  fulfil  their  commiffions,  Mark 
xvi.  15.  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,"  &.c.  The  event 
fully  correfponded  to  this  preparation  for  it  in  providence; 
for  it  is  incredible  to  think  with  what  rapidity  the  apoftles 
carried  the  name  of  Chrill  through  the  world,  and  how 
early  the  gofpel  WdS  preached  to  the  mod  difiant  nations* 
It  is  alio  obfervable  that  when  this  purpofe  had  been  ferved 
hy  it,  the  power  and  greatnefs  ot  the  Romans  cam.e  to  an 
end.  As  foon  as  the  church  was  planted  in  different 
corners  of  the  Roman  Empire,  that  vail  body,  which  had 
long  been  growing  to  fuch  an  enormous  bulk,  v^as  firll 
rent  into  two  parts,  and  then  broken  into  innumerable 
fmaller  divifioiis.  7\ike  it  therefore  as  a  great  defign  of 
Providence — the  time  ^nd  circumllances  appear  admira- 
bly to  il  lull  rate  it.  But  on  the  other  hand,  what  proba- 
bility could  ihcre  be,  that  a  handful  of  illiterate  mechanics 
Hiould  be  able  to  overthrow  the  whole  iyflem  of  Heathen 


Lectures  on  Divinity.  43 

theology,  that  had  continued  To  long  and  fpread  fowide  ; 
— that  they  fhould  think  ot  doing  this,  in  oppofition  to  the 
power  of  princes,  the  learning  of  philofophers,  the  inter- 
efled  policy  of  priells,  and  the  rage,  and  enthufiafm  of  a 
deluded  people!  Strange  indeed,  that  thefe  fuccelstul 
agents,  fhould  come  even  from  an  obl'cure  corner,  and 
from  a  nation  that  was  of  all  others,  not  merely  defpif-d, 
but  execrated  and  abhorred.  That  they  fhould,  notwith- 
Handing,  fucceed  by  preaching  the  divinity  of  a  crucified 
man,  a  fa6t  that  carried  in  it  the  higheil  idea  of  bafe- 
nels  and  ignominy.  Finally,  that  they  fhould  do  this 
without  the  parade  or  form  of  worfliip  to  engage  attenti- 
on ;  without  fecrets  or  myfleries  to  excite  veneration: 
but  by  the  fmiplicity  of  that  truth,  which  the  worldly  man 
delpiies,  and  the  flridnefs  of  that  law  which  the  fmner 
hates. 


LECTURE   VL 


WE  now  come  to  the  principal  and  dire£l  evidences 
for  the  truth  of  the  chriftian  religion.  This  is  of. 
fuch  a  nature,  as  to  be  in  itfelf  full  and  conclufive ;  fo 
that  if  the  fafts  alluded  to  be  true,  the  confequence  is 
necefTary  and  unavoidable.  Prefumptive  evidence  iS 
fometimes  of  fuch  a  nature,  and  carried  fo  far  by  the  con- 
currence of  circumflances,  as  to  produce  even  a  clear  and 
full  convidlion ;  yet  it  differs  in  its  kind  from  the  direfl 
conclufive  proof. — A  few  circumflances  of  probability  do 
but  little,  they  gradually  rife  in  ftrength  by  an  addition. 
to  their  number,  but  a  diredl  proof,  though  fingle,  if  juft, 
fatisfies  the  mind.  In  this  view,  the  proof  of  the  truth  of 
the  Chriftian  religion  is  the  v/orking  of  miracles.  A  fd- 
pernatural  power  is  the  feal,  or  fandtion  of  a  fupernatural 
commiflion.  Perhaps,  however,  as  the  Chriflian  religion 
is  the  completion  of  one  great  fyitera,  which  began  to 


44  Lectures  on  Dhinity", 

take  place  from  the  very  fall  of  man,  was  p:radual1y  open, 
ed  in  fiicceeding  ages,  and  perfected  by  the  incarnation 
of  the  Son  of  God,  we  may  divide  even  this  fingle  proof 
into  two  parts,  the  one  confiding  of  the  fulfilling  the  pro- 
phecies of  the  Old  Teilament,  and  the  other  of  the  mira- 
cles performed  by  our  Lord  in  the  days  of  his  fiefli. — 
Thefe  ultimately  reft  upon  the  fame  principle,  for  the 
forefeeing,  and  the  foretelling  of  events  future  and  diftant, 
is  as  real  a  miracle,  and  perhaps  as  fully  fatisfying  to  the 
mind,  as  any  other  whatever.  But  before  entering  upon 
thefe  two  feparate  branches,  it  will  be  bell  to  begin  with 
what  is  common  to  both,  and  confider,  i.  What  is  a 
miracle.  2.  What  is  its  proper  import  in  confirmation 
of  a  doctrine,  and  the  force  of  the  proof. 

I.  Then  let  us  confider  the  queftion,  what  is  a  miracle  ? 
Some  fay  it  is  a  reverfing,  altering,  or  fufpending  the 
courfe  of  nature,  or  its  ordinary  or  general  laws.  Some 
fay  it  is  doing  what  is  above  the  power  of  a  creature  or  a 
finite  being— And  fome,  that  it  is  doing  what  is  demon-~ 
flrably  above  the  power  of  the  immediate  agent.— As  to 
the  firft  of  thefe  I  would  obferve,  that  reverfing,  altering, 
or  fufpending  the  courfe  of  nature,  is  certainly  a  miracle  ; 
but  the  definition  is  not  fufficiently  comprehenfive,  be- 
caufe  every  miracle  is  not  of  that  kind.  The  predicting 
the  recovery  of  a  perfon  in  ficknefs  with  fpecial  circum- 
ilances,  as  in  the  cafe  of  Hezekiah,  or  difcovering  a  know- 
ledge of  things  diftant,  as  in  the  cafe  of  what  our  Saviour 
faid  to  Nathaniel,  are  as  clearly  and  evidently  miracles, 
as  any  dominion  over  nature  ;  befides  it  is  not  always  in 
our  power  to  fay  whether  there  is  any  ccntroul  or  altera- 
tion of  the  laws  of  nature  or  not,  as  when  our  Saviour 
fpoke  to  the  winds  and  the  fea,  and  immediately  there  was 
a  great  calm  ;  a  fudden  calm  might  have  happened  in  the 
courfe  of  things,  and  yet  its  following  at  that  infiant  car- 
ried fuch  a  convi<5tion  with  it,  that  the  beholders  immedi- 
ately and  juftly  faid,  "  Behold  what  manner  of  man  is 
"  this,''  &:c. 

Againft  miracles,  under  this  view  of  comrouling  the 
pourfe  of  nature,  Lord  Shafift)ury,  with  his  ufual  vivacity, 
5ind  at  the  fame  tinie  with  his  ufual  prejudice  and  partial- 


Lectures  on  Dhinity\  4j 

ky,  has  objedled  thus ;  "  flrange,"  fays  he,  "  to  make  the 
"  altering  the  courfe  of  nature  a  mark  of  the  Divinity, 
*'  when  this  is  not  fo  convincing  and  fatisfying  a  proof  of 
"  the  being  and  perfedions  of  God,  as  the  order  and  re- 
^'  gularity  of  the  courfe  of  nature."  But  nothing  can  be 
more  equivocal,  and  indeed  difingenuous,  than  this  man- 
ner  of  fpeaking;  foras  the  firit  conftitution,  and  condant 
prefervation  of  the  frame  of  nature,  is  a  proof  of  the  wif. 
dom  and  power  of  its  Maker,  fo  an  exprefs  vifible  inter- 
pofition  in  his  own  work,  at  his  own  time,  and  for  his 
own  great  purpofcs,  is  certainly  a  mofl  convincing  proof 
of  his  power  and  prefence.  I  fiiew  my  power  in  my  fami- 
ly, by  altering,  as  well  as  giving  my  commands ;  and 
my  property  in  my  ground,  by  cutting  down  a  tree,  when 
I  have  ufe  for  it  in  other  fervice,  as  well  as  by  planting  it, 
or  pruning  it. 

The  fecond  definition  of  a  miracle  is,  that  it  is  doing 
what  is  above  the  power  of  any  finite  being,  and  therefore 
Ihews  itfelf  to  be  the  finger  of  God.  This,  though  very 
often  adopted  by  writers,  I  think  is  liable  to  great  excep- 
tions. We  certainly  can  hardly  be  thought  capable  of 
defining  v/hat  is  above  the  power  of  the  finite  creature, 
'and  what  not.  Creation  is  juftly  reckoned  an  incommu- 
nicable power,  though  this  is  only  a  confequence  from  re- 
velation, and  particularly  from  worfhip  beingfounded  upon 
creation,  and  from  this  circumflance  joined  with  it,  that 
God  will  not  give  his  glory  to  another  ;  but  what  powers 
God  may  communicate  to  creatures,  other  than  this,  we 
cannot  fay,  fuch  as  knowing  the  thoughts — perceiving 
things  at  a  dillance — making  a  man  to  do  fo  by  private 
intimation  or  expreflion — controuling  the  elements,  and 
many  others  that  might  be  mentioned  ; — therefore  I  ap- 
prehend it  is  the  third  that  we  mufl:  reft  upon  as  the  true 
and  genuine  definition  of  a  miracle,  &c.  when  it  is  evi- 
dently abov^e  the  natural  power  of  the  vifible  agent,  the 
perfon  at  whole  command,  at  v/hofe  defire,  or  in  attefia- 
tion  of  whofe  claim,  it  is  wrought.  This  is  the  point  up- 
on which  we  can  mofl  eafily  fatisfy  ourleives ;  and  it  is  as 
Hire  an  evidence  of  divine  authority,  as  if  we  could  cer- 
tainly tell  whether  the  thing  produced,  could,  or  could  not, 


46  Ltctiires  on  Dhinlty, 

be  efFe6ted  by  a  finite  power.  It  was  from  this  that  the 
Jews  concluded  that  our  Saviour  had  the  prefcnce  and  af- 
fiilance  of  God  ;  "'  For  no  man  can  do  the  miracles  that 
*'  tbou  dod,  except  G  )d  be  with  him." 

We  are  now  to  confider  what  is  the  import  of  a  mira- 
cle, and  of  its  eftl  ct  in  confirmation  of  a  doctrine.     Pro- 
digies,  and  woiideriul  things,  properly  prove  nothing   at 
all»  except  when  they  are  profcfiedly  wrought  in  attcilati- 
on  of  fome  truth,  or  of  fome  claim  of  the  perfon-who  does 
them.     They  reft  upon  this  fuppofition,  that  fuch  a  pow- 
er is  an  evidence  of  a  divine  cotnmiffion,   and  they   are 
naturally  expeded  as  the  credentials  of  thofe  who  pretend 
a  divine  commiilion.     Tiie  Jews,  you  fee,  made  the  de- 
mand of  our  Saviour,  John,  vi.  30.     "  What  fign  (hew- 
ell  thou,'*  &c.  and  though  he  Ibmetimes  refufed  to  grati- 
fy their  malicious  petulance  or  obllinate  incredulity,  yet 
in  general  he  appealed  to  his  works,  as  the  juft  and  proper 
teftimonies  of  his  divine  commiilion,  John  x.  25.  ''The 
*'  works  that  I  do,"  &c.    John  xv.    24.  "•  If  I  had  not 
"  done  among  them,'*  &c.  There  are  fome  who  tell  us 
that  a  miracle  in  attellationof  the  truth  ofa  dodrine,  mufl 
be  conlidered  as  afanclion  to  it,  only  if  this  do6trine  is  in 
itfelf  credible,  confonant  to  reafon,  and  worthy  of  belief. 
Thofe  who  reafon  in    this   manner,  fay,  that  fome  doc- 
trines are  focontrary  or  fo  fhocking  to  reafon,  that  no  evi- 
dence can  be  more  plain,  even  uhen  a  miracle  is  wrought, 
than  the  evidence  of  fuch  dodrines  being  contrary  to  the 
nature  and  perfedlions  of  God.    But  I  look  upon  this  man- 
ner of  reafoning  to  be  very  unjull  and  inconclufive.     It 
tends  in  the  refult  to  fet  the  reafonings  of  men,  indepen- 
dent  of  revelation,  above  the  tellimony  of  God,  and  reve* 
lation  itfelf. — This  feems  to  be  the  darling  theme,  not 
only  of  infidels,  but  of   pretended  friends  to  revealed  re- 
ligion, who  are  worfe  if  poffible  than  infidels  triemfelves. 
It  is  eafy  to  fee  that  if  this  is  the  cafe,  there  can  be  no  be* 
nefit  received  by  revelation. — Miracles  are  the  only  fanc- 
tion  that  can  be  given  to  a  revelation — Yet  before  thefe 
will  be  admitted,  or  fufiered  to  be  heard,  thefe  reafoners 
tell  us,    that  we  muft  confider  the  dodrine  itfelf,  whether 
it  is  wortiiy  of  Gcd ;  and  if  they  fliall  be  pleafed  to  judge 
that  it  is  not,  the  miracles,  and  any  other  evidence  that  cart 


Lectures  on  Dhmityl  4*1 

be  given,  are  fet  at  nought  as  of  no  value,  and  the  matter 
not  even  brought  to  a  trial. — This  I  apprehendto  be  really 
the  cafe  with  many  in  the  prefent  age  :  but  it  feems  to  me 
very  plain,  that  fuch  is  our  blindnefs  and  ignorance  in  the 
things  of  God,  that  we  know  very  little  about  them,  till 
they  are  made  known  by  God  himfelf ;  and  if  we  were  to 
make  our  own  reaion  the  previous  ftandard  of  what  was 
admiflible  or  not  in  quality  of  revelation,  it  would  make 
mad  work  indeed.  I  ihall  care  very  little  what  men  of 
vain  and  carnal  minds  fay  of  my  fentiments ;  but  I  have 
been  many  years  of  opinion,  that  as  revelation  was  necef- 
fary,  and  revelation  is  given  us,  we  a6"l  the  moft  wife  and 
truly  rational  part,  if  we  take  all  our  theological  opinions 
immediately,  and  without  challenge,  from  the  oracles  of 
truth.  I  confefs  it  is  agreeable  to  me  to  fhew,  that  the 
truths  of  the  everlafting  gofpel  are  agreeable  to  found 
reafon,  and  founded  upon  the  flate  of  human  nature  ;  and 
I  have  made  it  my  bufmefs  through  my  whole  life  to  illuf- 
trate  this  remark.  Yet  to  begin  by  making  the  fuggeftion 
of  our  own  reafon  the  (landard  of  what  is  to  be  heard  or 
examined  as  a  matter  of  revelation,  I  look  upon  to  be 
highly  dangerous,  manifeftly  unjuft,  and  inconfiUent  with 
the  foundation- {lone  of  all  revealed  religion,  viz.  that  rea- 
fon, without  it,  is  infufficient  to  bring  us  to  the  knowledge 
of  God  and  our  duty  ;  and  therefpre  as  Socrates  faid  Co  Al- 
cibiades,  ''  It  is  reafonable  to  think  that  God  will  come 
"  down  into  the  world,  to  teach  us  his  w^ill."  I  am  not 
infenfible  how  far  it  would  be  jufl  to  carry  the  principle 
on  w^hich  our  adverfaries  ground  their  fentiments.  Any 
new  principles  or  dodtrines,  feemingly  ablurd  in  them- 
felves,  and  unholy  in  their  effefts,  would  not,  with  judici- 
ous perfons,  be  raflily  or  fuddenly  admitted  ;  and  the 
more  fufpicious  the  principles  are  in  themfelves,  no  doubt 
we  mull  examine  the  pretenfions  to  miracles  the  more 
carefully. — This  is  the  part  of  prudence  ;  but  to  carry  it 
further,  and  fay,  we  will  receive  no  evidence  that  God  has 
taught  any  thing  different  from  what  we  ourfelves  think 
reafonable,  is  jufl.  weakening  the  truth  before  admitted, 
that  revelation  immediately  from  himfelf  is  evidently  ne- 
cefi'iiry. 


48  Lectures  on  Dhktityl 

It  will  be  faid  by  fome,  that  fometimes  pretenfions  not 
only  to  revelation,  but  to  miracles,  are  contradictory  and 
deftrudive  of  each  other.  I  admit  there  may  be  iuch  a 
fuppofition  made,  but  I  look  upon  it  as  a  neceffary  confe- 
quence  of  the  vvifdom  of  the  divine  government,  that  he 
will  not  fufrer  any  of  thefe  things  to  be,  without  fufficient 
marks  whereby  an  impartial  enquirer  may  difcover  the 
difference.  This  was  the  cafe  of  Moies  and  the  magici- 
ans in  Egypt,  they  were  fuffered  to  perform  many  things 
fimilar  to  his  miracles,  but  ftill  the  great  fuperiority  was  to 
be  feen  in  his  ;  and  perhaps  by  the  comparifons  made  be- 
tween them  and  the  other,  there  was  the  more  evident  de- 
monitration  of  the  finger  of  God.  On  this  whole  fubjeiSt, 
and  particularly  the  import  of  miracles  as  the  proof  of  a 
dod^rine,  fee  Bifhop  Fleetwood's  works.— Thefe  two  pre- 
liminary  points  being  difcufled,  what  remains  may  be 
ilated  with  the  greater  brevity,  and  to  the  greater  advan- 
tage. The  miracles  in  behalf  of  the  truth  of  the  gofpel 
may  be  divided,  as  hinted  above,  into  two  parts,  the 
fulfilling  the  prophecies  of  the  Old  Teflament,  and  the 
miracles  during  Chrill's  perfonal  minillry. — As  to  the 
f.rft  of  thefe,  nothing  is  more  plain  than  the  faith  of  be- 
lievers being  pointed  from  the  earliefl  ages  to  a  Saviour 
to  come.  From  the  firft  promife  that  the  feed  of  the  wo- 
rnan  ILouldbruife  the  ferpent's  head,  through  all  the  after 
difcoveries  of  the  divine  will,  this  was  manifed,  and  in- 
deed more  and  more  manifeft,  as  it  drew  nearer  to  the 
fulnefs  of  time.  Their  foreknowledge  and  foretelling  of 
future  events  is  one  of  the  rnoil  fatisfying  kind  of  mira- 
cles, and  lead  liable  to  deceit.  Chrid  was  therefore  the 
promifcd  feed — The  defire  of  all  nations — The  hope  of 
Ifrael — The  prophet  that  fliould  come  into  the  world. 
That  he  appeared  at  the  time  fixed  in  the  ancient  prophe- 
cies— that  he  anfvvered  all  the  charaders  or  defcriptions 
of  the  ancient  prophets,  that  he  did  this  in  a  way  'io  pe- 
culiar that  he  plainly  fulfilled  them,  although  not  in  the 
way  the  miftakes  of  the  latter  Jews  made  them  expe(5l 
from  him,  is  clearly  apparent ;  and  as  I  have  dated,  under 
the  head  of  prefumptive  proof,  their  having  departed  from 
the  genuine  fpirit  of  the  promifes,  and  his  appearing  in  a 


Lectures  on  Dhlnlty,  49 

way  contrary  to  their  expedlations,  only  feems  to  defloy 
every  fiifpicion  of  fraud  and  impollure.  Impoilure  could 
not  have  been  continued  and  handed  down  through  '0  ir.a- 
ny  ages.  Nothing  like  this  is  to  be  feen,  or  has  ever  L>^cn 
heard  of,  in  the  hillory  of  mankind,  and  therefore  Chi  ill, 
astheMelCas  of  the  Jews,  niull  give  the  moft  favoura, 
ble  reception  toChriit  as  the  Saviour  of  the  world.*  H:rQ 
too  we  might  particularly  confider  the  miracles  Ghri!]  per- 
formed in  the  days  of  his  flefh.  Them  he  appealed  uj  as 
the  evidences  of  his  divine  niilTion.  But  after  the  remark3 
that  have  been  made  above,  on  the  fubjedl  abfolutely  conr 
fidered,  it  will  not  be  neceffary  to  extend  this  part  of  it, 
1  only  remark  that  his  miracles  were  upon  the  plained  fubr 
jecis — the  winds — healing  the  fick — feeding  the  multitude 
— raifmg  the  dead.  The  Pharifees  fooliflily  afked  a  \\g\\ 
from  heaven.  It  had  been  much  eafier  to  have  dazzled 
their  eyes  with  the  appearance  of  fome  extraordinary  mer 
teor  in  the  airy  regions,  than  to  have  given  them  th^ 
proofs  which  he  actually  did. — I  do  not  flay  to  illuftrat^ 
the  tender  and  benevolent  fubjecl  of  many  of  his  miracleSr 


LECTURE   VII, 


WE  now  proceed  to  the  confequentlal  proofs  of  the 
truth  of  the  Chriflian  religion,  that  is  to  fay,  the 
circumllances  that  have  arifen  iince  the  coming  of  Chrift 
in  the  flefh,  and  his  crucifixion  on  Mount  Calvary. 
Thefe  I  fnall  divide  into  the  following  branches,  i.  Itg 
incredible  progrefs  by  the  moil  unlikely  means — great  ex- 

*  See  Rudder's  demonftration  of  the  Meflia^i 

Vol.  IV.  G 


50  Lectures  cri  Dhhuty, 

tent-— and  long  continuance.  2.  The  great  and  valuable 
efFeds  produced  by  it.  3.  The  vifible  fulfilment  of  fcrip- 
ture  prophecies. 

I.  Let  us  confider  its  incredible  progrefs.  Immediate- 
ly after  Chrill's  afcenfion  his  difciples  went  into  different 
parts  of  the  world,  and  fpread  the  truth  with  a  fuccefs  al- 
together aflonifliing.  It  is  agreed,  I  believe,"  that  in  lefs 
than  fifty  years  the  gofpel  was  preached  and  embraced 
throughout  the  vaft  extent  of  the  Roman  Empire. — This 
argument  does  not  appear  in  its  full  force,  unlefs  we  con- 
fider by  what  means  the  efFedl  was  produced.  The  appa- 
i'ent  inilruments  were  only  a  few  fifliermen  of  Galilee, 
without  either  power  or  learning.  One  would  think"  it 
quite  incredible  that  any  of  them  fliould  ever  think  of  form- 
ing the  defign,  IHll  more  fo,  that  they  fhould  agree  in  it ; 
for  they  were  many  and  without  a  head;  and  that,  though 
agreed,  they  fhould  carry  it  into  execution.  That  Minos  in 
Crete,  and  Numa,  at  Rome,  profefFed  lawgivers  and  heads 
of  their  petty  inconfiderable  tribes,  fliould  pretend  inter- 
courfe  with  the  gods,  and  procure  reverence  for  their  de- 
crees, or  that  they  fhould  fucceed  in  their  little  dominions 
for  a  very  fliort  time,  is  not  wonderful.  But  that  fuch  per- 
fons  as  Matthew  the  Publican  and  his  companions,  fliould 
form  a  defign  of  fubverting  the  whole  of  the  old  religion, 
and  introducing  the  new,  and  fucceed  in  it,  is  altogether  a- 
flonifliing.  The  v/onder  increafes  when  we  confider  that 
thefe  men  were  not  united  under  any  fyftem  of  govern- 
iTienl:  among  themfelves,  further  than  their  principles  of 
obedience  to  their  Mafler,  who  had  left  the  world.  There 
was  not  any  of  tliem  who  claimed,  or  pofl'efTed  fuperiori- 
ty  over  the  reft.  They  were  feparated  from  one  another 
without  any  profpeQ  of  ever  meeting  again  on  earth. — 
Yet  that  they  fliould  agree  in  their  dodtrine,  and  propa- 
jrate  one  religion,  and  that  their  feparate  writings  fliould 
be  the  harmonious  and  concordant  fum  and  flandard  of 
that  religion,  is  not  to  be  accounted  for  Vv^ithout  the  pow- 
er and  influence  of  that  Providence  which  is  over  all  the 
earth.  It  is  not  to  be  omitted  here,  that  they  obtained 
this  fuccefs  by  preaching  the  divinity  of  a  man  who  had 
been  crucified,  the  moil  odious   and  contemptible  idea 


I 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  51 

that  could  be  prefented  to  the  human  mind.  One  would 
have  thought  that  as  loon  as  Chrifl:  was  crucified,  it  would 
at  once  have  put  an  end  to  all  further  refpedl  and  attenti- 
on  to  him.  This  it  is  mod  likely  his  enemies,  the  high^ 
priefts  and  Pharifees,  thought  themfelves  quite  certain  of, 
which  made  them  fo  intent  upon  his  crucifixion.  I  can- 
not help  obferving,  that  fome  judicious  commentators 
have  imagined  that  the  Devil,  the  great  enemy  of  man- 
kind, fuppofed  the  fame  thing.  He,  though  acquainted  in 
general  with  the  end  of  the  Saviour's  mifhon,  yet  certain- 
ly was  not  acquainted  with  every  part  of  the  defign  of  in- 
finite wifdom,  and  thought,  if  he  prevailed  to  have  Chrifl 
reje(Sted  by  the  Jews,  judged,  condemned  and  crucified 
by  the  Romans,  he  fhouid  entirely  defeat  the  defign.  They 
fuppofe  this  to  be  the  meaning  of  his  triumphing  over 
principalities  and  powers,  making  a  fliew  of  them  on  his 
crofs,  and  by  death  deflroying  them  that  had  the  power 
of  death,  that  is  the  DjvII.  I  muft  further  obferve,  that  the 
whole  do6lrine  of  Ghri'd  is  mofl  diredlly  oppofed  to  human 
pride  ;  {0  much  fo  indeed,  that  after  it  is  embraced,  and 
there  is  a  general  profefTion  of  it  in  any  place,  a  worldly 
fpirit  is  never  at  eafe  endeavoring  to  corrupt  and  alter  it. 
I  fhall  add  but  one  circumdance  more.  The  gofpel  was 
then  fuccefsful,  notwithflanding  the  greateft  and  mod  vio- 
lent oppofition  made  to  it  from  every  quarter.  The  hea- 
then religions,  as  obferved  formerly,  were  not  fuppofed  to 
be  mutually  repugnant,  and  did  not  contend  with  one  ano- 
ther ;  but  they  all  contended  with  the  gofpel,  which  was 
indeed  their  common  enemy.  The  mod  violent  perfe- 
cutions  were  railed  againd  the  Chridians  throughout  all 
the  Roman  empire.  The  philofophers  and  learned  men, 
who  had  never  contended  with  the  popular  religion,  all 
united  their  force  againd  the  Chridlan  religion.  Yet  the 
divine  wifdom  defeated  the  counfel  of  the  wife,  and  brought 
to  nought  the  underdanding  of  the  prudent ;  that  no  flefh 
might  glory  in  his  prefence.  I  mud  more  particularly 
obferve  that  Julian  the  apodate,  who  was  not  only  the 
mod  inveterate,  but  alfo  the  mod  wife  and  able  enemy 
that  ever  fet  himfelf  in  oppofition  to  the  Chridlan  faith, 
tried  to  alTault  it  in  every  way  that  could  be  thought  of, 


5^  Lectures  on  Dmnlty, 

lie  found  that  cruelty  and  violence  would  not  dd  ;  then 
he  tried  r  pre  a:h  and  public  fhame.  He  encouraged  the 
philo'ophe!  s  by  his  kindnefs,  and  aflifted  them  by  his  wri- 
tin;.s,  ail  1  indeed  he  carried  on  hi^  oppofition  with  fo  much 
2:ea!  that  he  even  attempted  the  reformation  of  the  pagan 
rciigion,  by  infilling  on  the  heathen  priefts  imitating  the 
Chriilians  in  their  mortified  carriage,  and  the  charitable 
care  of  tlie  pooi-.  But  all  would  not  do,  and  he  himfelf 
by  the  cifcumilances  of  his  death,  proved  one  of  the  great- 
efl  means  of  fpreading  the  triumphs  of  the  gofpel.  When 
all  thefe  circumftances^  \vith  the  enlargements  of  which 
they  are  capable,  are  taken  together,  the  fuccefs  of  the 
gofpel  is  a  Very  powerful  evidence  of  its  divine  original,  fo 
that  we  may  well  fay,  as  the  apoiUe  did,  "  fo  mightily  grew 
the  word  of  God  and  prevailed." 

II.  The  fecond  thing  to  be  confidefed  is  the  great  and 
valuable  efieds    produced  by  the  gofpel.     There    is  the 
greater  fealbn  to  infill  upon  this  part  of  the  fubje^l  that 
enemies  have  fliewed  a  great  inclination  to  deny  or  mif- 
yeprefent  them.     I  am  however  perfuaded  that  on  a  fair 
and  candid  examination,  the  effeifts  of  the  gofpel  will  ap- 
pear to  be  truly  great,  and  truly  extenfive.     The  effedls 
of  the  gofpel  may  be  conlidered  in  two  views,  as  producing 
knowledge  and  pradice.     Now  did  not  the  gofpel  intro- 
duce fome  knowledge  in  religion  ?  whoever  will  compare 
the  fy  flem  of  religious  belief  which  prevailed  before,  with 
that  whichtook  place  after  the  publication  of  the  gofpel,  will 
lee  the  great  excellence  and  virtue  of  that   difpenfatioil. 
Such  was  the    power  of  divine  light  that  it  actually  in 
a  fliort  time  banifhed  the  abfurd  polytheifm   and  idola- 
try of  the  heathen  nations.     Socompleat  was  the  vidlory 
that  it  never  has  again  dared  to  lift  up  its  head.      The 
enemies  of  religion   are  not  now  to  be  dripped  of  Venus 
and  Bacchus  and  the   whole  catalogue  of  thofe  iicVious 
deities,  the   worfliip  of  whom,  while  it  claimed  to  be  re- 
ligion, was  nothing  but  a  difcipline  of  ignorance,  vice  and 
iiTipurity.     The  only   knowledge  of  religion  which  was 
of  value  among  the  ancients  was  the  remains  of  tradition 
from  the  patriarchial  age,  and  whatever  now  deferves  that 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  53 

name  is  borrowed  from  the  gofpel.  It  was  an  early  re- 
mark of  the  ChrlRian  apologifts,  that  the  gofpel  had  put 
to  filence  the  heathen  oracles. 

On  this  head  it  is  particularly  rertiarkable,  that  the 
knowledge  of  religion  which  is  the  fruit  of  the  gofpel,  is 
the  acquifition  of  the  multitude.  There  was  fomething 
of  this  mentioned  formerly  in  another  view.  It  deferves 
however  repeated  notice,  that  the  gofpel  was  preached  to 
the  poor  and  brought  light,  not  to  particular  men,  but  to 
mankind  in  general.  A  mechanic  or  peafant,  intruded 
in  the  oracles  of  truth,  has  now  more  juft  and  confident 
notions  of  God,  his  perfedions,  his  laws,  his  Providence, 
than  the  moft  renowned  philofophers  of  ancient  times. 

It  is  obferved  by  fome  when  on  this  fubjedl,  that  the 
gofpel  has  introduced  the  greateft  improvements  of  human 
as  well  as  divine  knowledge  ;  not  but  that  thofe  arts  which 
depend  entirely  upon  the  exertion  of  human  talents  and 
powers,  were  carried  to  as  great  perfection  before,  as  fince 
the  coming  of  Chrift,  in  the  heathen  as  in  the  Chriftian 
world,  fuch  as  poetry,  painting,  flatuary,  &c.  But  natural 
knowledge,  or  the  knowledge  of  the  conflitution  and 
courfe  of  nature,  began  with,  and  increafed  by  religious 
light ;  all  the  theories  of  the  ancients,  as  to  the  formation 
and  prefervation  of  the  earth  and  heavens  were  childifh 
and  trifling.  From  revelation  we  learn  the  fimple  account 
of  the  creation  of  all  things  out  of  nothing,  by  the  omnipo- 
tence of  God ;  and  perhaps  there  are  few  things  more 
delightful,  than  to  obferve  that  the  latefl;  difcoveries  in  phi- 
lofophy,  have  never  fliewn  us  any  thing  but  what  is  per- 
fedtly  confident  with  the  fcripture  doctrine  and  hi  dory. 
There  is  one  modern  clafs  or  fed  of  divines,  who  affirm 
that  all  human  fcience  is  to  be  found  in  the  Bible — natural 
philofophy,  adronomy,  chronology. — This  I  am  afraid  is 
going  too  far ;  but  I  think  it  had  not  been  pofiible  for  any 
writer  or  writers  in  the  age  of  the  Tacred  penmen,  to  have 
wrote  fo  much  on  the  creation  of  the  world,  and  its  hif- 
tory  fince  that,  without  being  guilty  of  abfurdities  and 
contradictions ;  unlefs  they  had  been  under  the  diredion 
of  an  infallible  guide. 


54  Lectured  on  Dmnuyl 

The  next  branch  of  this  head  is,  to  confider  the  effe«!ls 
of  the  gofpel,  as  to  practice.  Here  I  think,  the  fir(l  thing 
is  to  confider  the  manifeft  tendency  and  profefled  aim  of 
the  gofpel  itfelf,  and  its  efFeds  on  thofe  who  truly  believe 
it,  and  live  according  to  it.  The  temper  and  charadler 
of  fuch  will  appear  to  be  truly  admirable,  and  the  more 
fo  upon  a  very  ftridl  and  critical  examination,  if  we  con- 
fider the  noblenefs  of  their  principles,  the  ftridnefs,  regu- 
larity, and  univerfality  of  their  pra6lice,  the  ufefulnefs  and 
happy  efFeds  of  their  converfation. — A  Chriftian's  heart  is 
poflelfed  by  the  love  of  God,  and  his  will  fubjedled  to  the 
order  of  his  providence.  Moderation  and  felf-denial  is  his 
rule  with  refpedl  to  himfelf,  and  unfeigned^  good-will, 
proved  by  active  beneficence,  with  regard  to  others.  Nor 
is  this  at  all  matter  of  mere  theory — it  is  certainly  matter 
of  experience ;  nay,  its  influence  hath  been,  as  it  ought 
to  be,  powerful  in  gaining  the  aflent  of  others  to  the  truth 
of  the  dodrine.  The  vifible  and  eminent  piety  of  the 
iirfi:  miniilers  of  the  New  Teflament,  and  the  earlielt  con- 
verts, had  the  greateil  effedl  in  procuring  reception  to  the 
principle  that  produced  them.  The  general  integrity  of 
their  lives,  and  the  eminent  appearance  in  fome  of  them 
of  the  illuftrious  virtues,  charity,  fortitude  and  patience, 
•was  what  fubdued  all  oppofition. 

The  heathens  fometimes  reproached  one  another  by 
the  comparifon,  faying,  fee  how  thefe  Chriflians  love  one 
another ;  how  honorable  was  it,  when  one  of  the  apologias 
(LaQantius)  was  able  to  fay,  give  me  a  man  who  is  wrath- 
ful, malicious,  revengeful,  and  with  a  few  words  of  God 
I  will  make  him  calm  as  a  lamb  :  give  me  one  that  is  a 
covetous,  niggardly  mifer,  and  I  will  give  you  him  again, 
liberal,  bountiful,  and  dealing  out  of  his  money  by  hands- 
ful :  give  me  one  that  is  fearful  of  pain  and  of  death, 
and  immediately,  he  (ball  defpife  racks,  and  crofles,  and 
the  mod  dreadful  punifhments  you  can  invent. 

If  we  were  to  make  a  comparifon  between  particulars, 
I  apprehend  the  advantage  would  appear  very  juft  ;  but 
it  is  ufual  to  ftate  the  comparifon,  not  with  regard  to  thofe 
that  are  truly  religious,  but  to  take  it  from  the  general  con- 
du6l  of  thofe  who  profefs  the  gofpel.     I  am  not  fure  that 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  ^^ 

any  comparifon  is  juft  but  between  real  believers  and 
others.  However,  we  may  make  it  both  ways,  and  fee 
how  it  will  turn  out.  Compare  the  piety,  humility,  cha- 
rity, and  active  zeal  of  a  real  Chriftian,  with  the  mofl 
llriking  characters  of  ancient  times,  and  the  great  fupe- 
riority  of  the  firft  will  appear.  Not  only  fottifh  idolatry, 
but  lufl:,  pride,  ollentation,  v^ill  appear  to  tarnilh  many 
of  the  lall  in  a  remarkable  degree.  But  even  with  regard 
to  mere  profeflion,  there  is  reafon  to  fay,  that  the  manners 
of  men  are  greatly  improved,  even  where  they  are  not 
fandlified. 

He  who  will  confider  with  attention  the  manners  of 
ancient  nations,  will  fee  great  reafon  to  abate  of  that  ve- 
neration which  his  reading  their  exploits,  as  recorded  by 
writers  of  eminence,  may  fometimes  lead  him  into. 
There  are  perfons  to  be  found  of  fuch  barbarity — in  many 
inllances  prevailing  through  a  nation — the  cuilom  of  ex^ 
pofmg  their  children — and  in  the  cafe  of  fome,  there  was 
luch  ferocity  and  cruelty,  either  plundering  their  ene- 
mies, or  felling  them  for  flaves — in  facking  cities — as 
would  make  a  perfon  of  any  humanity,  fliudder  in  reading 
thern.  Rollings  character  of  the  ancient  Spartans,  and 
Prefident  Goguet's  account  of  the  manners  in  general  of 
the  ancient  ages,  may  give  fome  conception  of  this  mat  ^ 
ter. 


T 


LECTURE   VIIL 


^HE  third  branch  of  this  head,  is  the  fulfilling  of 
j^  fcripture  prophecies.  This  is  an  argument  very 
fatisfying  to  the  mind,  and  which  might  be  illuftrated  by 
a  great  variety  of  examples.  The  Old  Teflament  pro- 
phecies I  have  had  occafion  to  confider  in  a  former  part 
of  the  fubjedt,  and  fhall  not  now  relume,  further  dian  by 
making  this  obfervation,  that  there  are  fome  prophecies 
^here,  which  not  only  had  their  completion  in  Chrift,  birt 
continue  to  be  fulfilled  in  the  prefent  Hate  of  the  world 


^6  Lectures  on  Dhinlty* 

Some  entertaining  peculiarities  of  this  kind  may  be  feen 
in  feveral  writers  upon  the  partition  of  the  earth,  and  the 
manner  of  its  being  peopled.  In  Delany's  Revelation 
examined  with  candor,  there  are  fome  things  well  wor. 
thy  of  the  attention  of  a  judicious  and  critical  reader. 
Take  one  example,  he  mentions  the  prophecy  of  Iftimaek 
''  His  hand  (liall  be  againlt  every  man,  and  every  man's 
**  hand  againfl  him,  and  he  ihall  dwell  in  the  prefence  of 
*'  all  his  brethren.'*  lie  fays  that  this  prophecy  is  fulfill- 
ing at  this  time  as  well  as  formerly  ;  that  the  pollerity  of 
Ifhmael,  who  fettled  in  Arabia,  are  the  wild  Arabs,  a 
people  that  are  in  a  ftate  of  oppofition  to  all  the  neigh- 
boring nations ;  that  they  never  were  fubdued  by  any 
of  the  different  princes  that  obtained  dominion  in  differ- 
ent ages  in  thofe  countries,  and  continue  unconnedted 
and  unfubdued  to  this  day. 

But  one  of  the  chiefeft  indances  we  have  to  take  notice 
of,  on  the  fubjedl  of  fcripture  prophecies,  is  the  hiflory 
and  prefent  flate  of  the  Jewifh  Nation.  The  deflru6lioa 
of  the  city  and  temple  of  Jerufalem,  was  prophefied  of 
by  our  Saviour,  in  a  manner  fo  diHin(5t  and  io  particular, 
that  it  is  not  eafy  to  imagine  any  thing  to  exceed  it.  With 
regard  to  the  temple  in  particular,  he  faid  that  there 
lliould  not  remain  one  flone  upon  another  that  fliould  not 
be  thrown  down.  He  defcribes  the  extreme  mifery  of 
the  people  when  Jerufalem  fhould  be  compafTed  about 
with  armies,  and  he  fixes  die  time  in  the  moft  precife 
manner,  that  that  generation  fliould  not  pafs  away  till  all 
was  iulfilled;  and  finally,  he  warns  his  own  difciples, 
when  certain  figns  appeared,  to  fly  for  fafety.  The  reali- 
ty  of  thofe  prophecies,  from  the  time  in  which  they  hap- 
])ened  and  the  facls  with  which  they  were  connedled,  is 
io  well  eflablifhed,  as  not.  to  be  eafily  capable  of  contra- 
didion.  And  when  we  compare  the  event  with  them  it 
is  truly  aflonifhing  ;  as  the  guilt  of  that  people  was  very 
.great,  fo  the  judgments  on  them  were  the  mofl  fignal,  ter- 
rible, and  lading,  that  were  ever  infli6led  on  any  nation. 

Their  own  Hiilorian  (Jofephus)  gives  fuch  an  account 
of  the  miferies  of  the  fiege,  as  is  painful  and  fliocking  to 
read;  at  the  fame  time  the  contentions  within  the  walls, 


Lectures  on  Dhinhy,  57 

and  the  unrelenting  fury  with  which  they  were  animated 
one  ag-unft  another,  makes  it  impoflible  to  confuler  them 
in  any  other  light,  than  as  a  blinded  and  tleferted  people. 
Another  circumQance  alfo  well  worthy  of  attention  is, 
that  as  they  had  crucified  the  Saviour,  and  were  particu- 
larly defirous  to  have  that  punifhment,  which  was  not  a 
Jewifli  but  a  Roman  one,  infiided  upon  him  ;  h  in  the 
courfe  of  that  fiege  they  were  crucified  round  their  own 
walls,  in  fuch  vafl  numbers  that  they  wanted  wood  to 
make  crofles  to  hang  them  on ;  all  this  too  was  done  un- 
der the  command  of  Titus  Vefpafian,  one  of  the  mildeft 
men  that  ever  commanded  an  army — {o  that  the  fupreme 
order  of  Providence  feemed  to  be  forcing  into  its  own  fer- 
vice,  every  apparent  inftrument.  It  is  well  known  thut 
Titus,  far  from  intending  the  deftrudion  of  the  temple, 
had  the  utmoft  folicitude  to  have  preferved  it,  but  all 
was  to  no  purpofe,  for  God  had  faid  it  fhould  be  deftroy- 
ed.  To  add  no  more  upon  this  head,  the  Chriftians  in 
general,  by  attending  to  their  matter's  predictions  and 
following  his  advice,  were  preferved  from  the  calamity. 

Befide  the  deftruClion  of  the  polite  city  and  temple  of 
Jerufalem,  the  Jews  themfelves,  as  a  nation,  continue 
a  Handing  proof  of  the  Scripture  prophecies.  Their  con- 
tinuing a  feparate  people,  notwithfianding  their  difperfion 
through  all  the  earth  for  above  1700  years,  and  not  tnix- 
ing  with  other  nations,  is  an  event  quite  fingular,  that 
tiever  happened  in  any  other  cafe  ;  fo  that  it  appears  quite 
fupernatural,  as  if  they  were  prepared  by  the  providence 
of  God  to  prove  the  truth  of  the  Mefliah,  and  to  wait  till 
their  converfion  fliall  crown  the  work,  and  be,  as  the 
fcripture  fays,  "  life  from  the  dead." 

The  other  prophecies  in  the  New  Tefiament,  in  their 
accomplifhment  in  the  courfe  of  Providence,  do  alfo  af- 
ford  much  entertainment  and  inftru6lion  to  a  ferious  mind. 
They  are  principally  contained  in  the  Revelations  of  St. 
John  the  Divine.  1  fhall  only  now  take  notice  of  one,  viz. 
anti  chrill,  or  the  man  of  fin,  defcribed  in  2d  Thef.  2,  3. 
"  Who  oppofeth  and  exalteth  himfclf  againft  all  that  is 
*'  called  God,"  &c.     The  proteftant  writers,  very  gene* 

Vol.  IV.  H 


5 8  Lectures  on  Dhinity* 

rally  fuppofe  that  the  Pope  and  Roman  Catholic  fyflem 
of  fuperftition  are  the  anti-chrift  prophefied  of,  and  indeed 
they  feem  very  much  to  quadrate  with  the  defcriptlon. — 
The  fetting  in  the  temple  of  God,  and  fhewing  nimfelf 
th.u  he  is  God,  correfponds  furprifingly  with  the  extrava- 
gant pretenfions  to  infallibility  in  that  church,  and  the  ex- 
ceffive  fecular  power  and  profit  which  it  is  intended  to 
bring  to  the  prieft-hood.  The  account  in  the  Revelation 
of  kings  and  princes,  giving  their  power  and  honor  to  the 
Bead,  and  no  man  being  allowed  to  buy  and  fell,  but  thofe 
who  had  the  mark  of  the  Bead,  correfponds  exadly  to  the 
arrangements  made  by  the  Popifli  flates  for  many  ages,  to 
the  ufurped  dominion,  and  to  that  tyranny  over  con- 
fcience,  which  was  every  where  exercifed.  The  defcrip- 
tion  of  myllical  Babylon,  in  the  17th  of  the  Revelations, 
feems  in  all  refpedts  to  quadrate  with  the  city  of  Rome. 
The  feven  heads  are  faid  to  be  feven  mountains  on  which 
the  woman  fitteth,  and  in  the  clofe  of  the  chapter,  it  is  faid 
*'  and  the  woman  whom  thou  faweft,  is  that  great  city, 
*•  that  reigneth  over  the  kings  of  the  earth."  To  all  this 
you  may  add  that  part  of  the  defcription,  that  Ihe  was 
drunken  with  the  blood  of  the  Saints,  which  was  fo  emi- 
nently fulfilled  in  the  dreadful  perfecutions  for  confcience 
fake,  which  were  didlated  by  the  anti-chriftian  fpirit,  and 
carried  on  in  the  anli-chriftian  dates.  To  finifh  this  pa- 
rallel, the  two  witnefies  who  prophefied  in  fack-cloth,  are 
fuppofcd  to  be  thofe,  who  never  received  the  Romifh  fu- 
perilitions,  the  Waldenfes  and  the  Albigenfes  in  the  Pied- 
montefe  vallies  ;  by  the  hiflory  of  whom  it  appears,  that 
their  faith  and  wcrfliip  had  been  the  fame  that  it  was  from 
the  beginniijj.;,  and  the  fame  that  was  received  and  em- 
braced at  the  reformation.  This  remarkable  period  is  fup- 
pofed  to  be  jrainted  in  the  deadly  wound  given  to  the 
bead,  not wiih Handing  which  it  did  live,  and  in  the  ten 
horns,  which  fliouid  hate  the  whore  and  make  her  defolate, 
and  eat  her  fledi,  and  burn  her  with  fire. 

After  this  account,  I  mud  obferve  that  there  are  fome 
protedant  writers,  who  have  not  fallen  in  with  the  fcheme  of 
making  the  Pope  to  be  the  anti-chrid  defcribed  in  the  New 
Tedament;  and  as  the  apodle  fays,  there  are  many  anti- 


Lectures  on  Divinityl  ^c/ 

cfirllls,  fo  thefe  perfons  fay  there  is  an  anti-chrlflian  fpi- 
rit  in  every  church,  or  the  corrupt  part  conflantly  in 
oppofition  to  the  found — truth  driving  with  error,  and 
pride  with  the  meeknefs  of  the  gofpel.  If  this  is  admitted, 
the  Roman  Catholic  church  may  ftill  be  confidered  as 
the  fcene  of  anti-chriflian  ufurpation,  and  it  fliould  put 
all  others  upon  their  guard,  led  they  in  any  degree  par- 
take of  the  fin,  and  fo  expofe  themfelves  to  the  judgment 
of  the  great  whore.     I  fhall  only  add,  that  there  is  a 

late  opinion  advanced  by  Mr.  Glafs  and  S ,  which, 

fo  far  as  I  know,  was  never  thought  of  before  thefe,  viz. 
that  an  ellablilhed  church  is  anti-chrift,  that  whatever  has 
the  approbation  and  authority  of  the  civil  government 
in  any  (late  interpofed  in  its  behalf,  not  only  may,  but 
nun  be  contrary  to  the  gofpel.  This  is  certainly  carry- 
ing matters  to  excefs,  as  is  ufual  with  intereiled  perfons, 
incenfcd  with  what  they  fuppofe  to  be  injurious  treatment. 
Mr.  Glafs  b  ing  call  out  of  the  eftablifhed  church  of  Scot- 
land, and  perhaps  by  an  unneceifary  flretch  of  power, 
fell  into  this  refentful  opinion  ;  fo  that  I  do  not  fee  how  this 
fentiment  can  be  fupported,  either  from  fcripture  or  rea- 
foQ,  as  it  would  feem  to  make  it  impofTible  for  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  to  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord 
and  his  Chrill :  or  for  kings  to  become  nurfmg  fathers, 
and  queens  nurfing  mothers  to  the  church  ;  but  fo  far  I 
fhall  readily  admit,  that  an  intolerant  eltablifhment,  and 
all  tyranny  over  the  confcience,  partakes  of  an  anti-chrif- 
tian  fpirit. 

It  will  now  be  time  to  confider  a  little,  the  objections 
againfl:  the  Chriflian  religion.  It  is  eafy  to  fee,  that  there 
mud  be  in  every  infidel  writer,  particular  cavils  and  ex- 
ceptions, which  are  fo  numerous,  and  fo  various,  that  it 
would  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  mention  them  ;  but  there 
are  fome  general  exceptions,  which  are  to  be  found  in  all 
their  writings,  and  on  which  they  infift  moft  that  it  will  be 
proper  to  take  notice  of.  Two  of  thefe  have  indeed  alrea- 
dy been  taken  notice  of,  as  they  fell  in  the  way,  viz.  That 
reafon  is  a  fufficient  guide  to  truth  and  happinefs  and  there- 
fore revelation  is  unneceflary  ;  and  that  miracles  are  im- 


6o  Lectures  on  Dhiniiy, 

pofTiMe,  a^d  incredible.     Thofe  1  pafs  with  what  has  been 
faid  on  thrni  above. 

A  3d.  Ohje6lion  wliich  ufed  to  be  very  much  infifted 
upon,  's  the  want  of  univerfality.  If  the  ChriRian  reve- 
lation was  neccffary,  why  was  it  not  given  in  its  full  ex- 
tent, trom  the  bejj[inning  of  the  world,  and  fprcad  through 
ail  narions  ?  why  was  the  world  in  general,  fo  long  left 
in  d  .iKiiers  ?  and  at  this  time,  why  are  there  fuch  vaft 
revjiojs,  and  fuch  multitudes  of  people,  that  are  with- 
out the  li^lit  of  the  gofpel?  Many  different  anfwers  have 
been  given  to  this  objedlion  ;  fome  fhewing  the  extent 
to  v/aich  the  gofne!  has  been  carried ;  fome  fliewing  that 
th-  r.;ercy  of  God  through  Chrift  will  extend  to  all  na- 
t  ons,  in  proportion  to  the  improvement  of  the  meafure  of 
li^jhi  aflorded  them  :  But  I  apprehend  there  is  a  much 
more  eaiy  and  fatisfying  anfwer  to  be  given  to  it,  which 
is  tnis,  that  ^heobj-  ction  proceeds  from  a  groundlefs  pre- 
fumpiion  tli.it  we  are  to  judge  of  all  the  divine  proceed- 
ings, and  nnd  fault  with  them,  becaufe  they  do  not  exad^ly 
follow  the  rules  which  we  (hould  have  prcfcribed. — It  mili- 
tate s  equaily  againrt  natural  and  revealed  religion. — It 
may  as  well  be  aiked,  why  is  not  every  reptile  a  man, 
and  every  man  an  angel  ?  whv  is  not  every  creature  as 
happy  as  he  pofTibly  could  have  been  made  ?  Nature  and 
Providence  is  full  of  inllru6Vive  analogy  upon  this  fubjed. 
Why  was  not  the  earth  peopled  as  early  and  as  fully  as 
podihle  ?  Why  were  the  vaft  tradVs  of  fruitful  land  in 
Anierica,  fuffered  for  fo  many  ages  to  be  a  wild  forefl,  in- 
habited by  wolves  and  tigers,  and  a  thw  men  almofl  as 
fierce  as  they  t  Nay,  we  may  go  much  further,  and  alk,  why 
was  1 101  the  world,  which  appears  to  be  only  near  6000 
years  old,  created  millions  of  years  before  that  period  ? 
The  true  and  proper  anfwer  to  every  fuch  queflion  is,  to 
reiqlve  it  into  the  fovereignty  of  God — he  hath  a  right  to 
bellow  his  mercies,  in  the  time,  manner  and  meafure,  that 
feeni  good  unto  himfelf.  With  regard  to  the  difficulty 
al'Oii»:  creation,  fome  have  attempted  to  affume  a  neceflity, 
that  every  thing  is  neceflary  to  the  good  of  the  whole  ;  and 
fo  a  v^  or'u  in  its  place  is  as  necefTary  as  an  angel  ;  and  one 
writer  has  attempted  to  prove,  that  the  world  could  not 


Lectures  on  Divinity,  6x 

have  been  created  any  fooner ;  becaufe,  thouj:;li  it  were 
now  a  million  of  years  old,  inliead  of  6000,  the  qucllicn 
would  ftill  remain :  but  this  is  only  vv.-.ding  beyond  our 
depth,  and  ufing  words  to  which  if  we  affix  any  precife,  it 
niufl  be  allowed,  we  have  not  a  complete  or  adequate  idea. 
With  refped  to  the  time  of  the  publication,  and  the  extent 
of  the  projyrefs  of  gofpel  light,  or  even  the  numbers  that 
are  benefitted  by  it,  I  would  fay,  "  even  fo  Father,  for  fo  it 
feemed  good  in  thy  fmht ;"  and  I  would  particularly  ob- 
ferve,  that  Hating  this  as  an  objection  againft  the  truth  of 
the  gofpel,  is  forgetting  the  great  and  fundamental  doc- 
trine of  the  gofpel,  that  all  men  are  under  fm,  and  liable 
to  the  divine  wrath  ;  and  that  fending  Chrift  into  the 
world,  is  an  adl  of  free  and  fovereign  grace.  If  there- 
fore, it  be  really  mercy  to  thofe  that  are  faved,  no  objec- 
tion can  be  brought  againfl  it  from  the  number  of  circum- 
llances  of  thofe  that  perifli. 

4th.  Another  great  objedlion  againft  Chridianity  is,  that 
it  introduced  into  the  world  perfecution  for  confcience 
fake,  which  was  before  unknown.  This  is  an  argument 
on  which  infidels  delight  to  enlarjre.  The  fierce  contelis 
that  have  been  upon  the  fubjedl  of  religion,  and  the  many 
who  have  died  in  the  field,  and  been  brought  to  a  fcaffold 
or  flake,  on  religious  accounts,  have  been  fet  forth  in  all 
the  force  of  language.  There  is  no  argument  ufed  by  in- 
fidels that  I  think  may  be  more  eafily  refuted,  or  rather 
indeed,  be  effectually  turned  ag.iinft  themfelves  than  thi?. 
In  the  firfl:  place  it  is  a  plain  accoinplifliment  of  our  Sa- 
viour'^ predidlion,  ••'  think  not  I  am  come  to  fend  peare 
"  on  the  earth."  Now  if  this  never  happened  before  upc  n 
a  religious  account,  which  the  argument  luppofes,  by 
what  means  fhould  he  forefee  it,  but  by  a  preternatural 
knowledge  ?  But  alter  we  have  gone  thus  far,  we  are 
Hill  to  obferve,  that  theChriflian  religion  in  no  other  way 
introduced  perlecution  for  confcience  fake,  th m  by  iul'- 
fering,  notinflidling  it.  It  was  perfecuted  by  Jews  ard 
Gentiles  with  unrelenting  fury,  for  300  years  after  tlut 
coming  of  Ghrift  in  the  flefli.  Is  there  any  body  th?tt 
opens  the  Bible,  that  does  not  fee  that  perfecution  is  n- c 
taught  there  '     It  will  be  faid  that  in  after  ages,  Clh.r- 


^%  Lectures  on  Dhlnityl 

tians  perfecuted  Chriflians,  with  as  much  rage  as  the 
Heathen  ever  did.  I  anfwer  if  that  matter  be  carefully 
looked  into,  it  will  be  found,  that  it  was  the  fpirit  of  the 
world  that  perfecuted  the  meek  believers  in  Chrifl,  in 
every  age.  There  is  a  remark  of  a  certain  writer  that  the 
perfecution  carried  on  againft  the  Proteftants  in  France, 
was  not  by  bigots  and  thofe  under  the  power  of  fuperfli- 
tion  ;  but  by  thofe  who  were  low  in  their  principles,  and 
had  no  religion  of  any  kind.  But  this  is  not  fo  great  a 
rarity  as  he  imagined,  for  it  is  but  feldpm  that  perfons 
who  are  much  in  earnefl:  about  rehgioif  themfelves,  are 
concerned  in  oppofing  others  ;  at  any  rate,  it  is  manifeft 
that  none  can  ralhly  judge,  much  lefs  perfecute  others, 
if  they  attend  to  the  dodrine  of  the  gofpel. 


LECTURE  IX. 


Of  the  Doctrine  of  the  Trinity, 

IT  feems  highly  neceflary,  that  Students  of  Divinity, 
fhould  give  particular  attention  to  this  fubjedl,  as  it 
relates  to  the  very  nature  of  the  true  God  who  is  the  object 
of  our  worfliipand  truft.  Indeed,  as  it  is  fo  nearly  con- 
ne6led  with  the  dodlrine  of  redemption,  its  importance  is 
apparent.  We  cannot  form  jufi:  notions,  and  indeed  hardly 
any,  of  the  fatisfadion  of  Chrill,  without  being  explicit 
upon  this  head.  Let  us  firft  endeavor  to  Hate,  briefly  and 
clearly  as  pofTible,  what  the  fcriptures  teach  us  to  believe 
on  the  fubjedl-,  as  fummed  up  in  the  Proteftant  confelTion, 
diflinguiflVmg  it  from  oppofite  errors,  and  afterwards 
£i;^e  a  fuccind  view  of  the  proofs.    The  dodlrine  may  be 


Lectures  on  Dhinlty,  63J 

briefly  fummed  in  tv/o  branches  (i)  firft  the  unity  of  the 
divine  nature  (2)  the  trinity  of  perfon  in  the  divine  ef- 
fence. 

Firft,  The  unity  of  the  divine  nature. — That  there  is 
but  one  God,  infinite,  eternal,  unchangeable,  indivifible. 
The  unity  of  the  God-head  is  greatly  infifted  on  in  fcrip- 
ture.  It  feems  to  have  been  the  capital  article  of  reveal- 
ed truth  under  the  Old  Teftament  Difpenfation,  in  op- 
pofition  to  the  vanities  of  the  gentiles.  The  firfl:  com- 
mandment of  the  decalogue  is,  *'  Thou  Ihalt  have  no  other 
•'gods before  me,"  and  again  Dent.  vi.  4.  "Hear  O  Ifrael 
"  the  Lord  our  God,  is  one  Lord."  The  glory  of  God 
is  particularly  aflerted  upon  this  fubje<Sl,  that  he  will  not 
give  his  glory  to  another  nor  his  praife  to  graven  images. 
The  unity  of  God  feems  to  be  the  grand  article  of  natural 
religion,  clearly  fupported  by  reafon  from  the  impoiTibility 
of  fappofing  infinite  perfedion  to  refide  in  more  than 
one  fubjeft,  as  v^^ell  as  from  the  harmony  and  unity  of  the 
defign  that  appears  in  the  univerfal  fyftem.  This  part  of 
the  fubjed  fuffers  no  difficulty  vi^hich  arifes  from  the  addi- 
tion of  the  other  particular  from  revelation,  viz.  (2)  that  in 
this  unity  of  the  divine  nature,  and  in  a  perfe6l  confiftency 
with  it,  there  is  a  threefold  diflin6lion.  In  other  words, 
there  is  the  moft  perfedl  fimplicity  and  unity  of  nature, 
and  yet  in  the  mode  of  exiftence  a  plurality.  We  call  it 
in  EngliQi  three  perfons  in  the  Godhead.  The  ancient 
fathers  ufed  to  call  it  in  greek  treis  iipostaseis.  It  would 
be  wrong  to  contend  that  either  of  thefe  gives  a  full  and 
adequate  idea  of  it,  becaufe  indeed  it  is  incomprehenfible. 
For  in  the  language  of  infpiration,  it  is  faid  to  be  the  Fa- 
ther, the  Word  or  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghoft  or  Spirit. 
As  foon  as  men  began  to  difpute  upon  the  fubje(5l,  and 
exercife  their  reafon,  imagination,  or  invention  upon  a 
matter  of  mere  revelation  (as  was  foon  done,  by  the  mix- 
ture of  platonic  philofophy  with  the  fludy  of  the  fcriptures) 
they  fell  into  various  oppofite  errors,  which  however  were 
all  of  them  conftantly  condemned  and  oppofed  by  the 
confent  of  orthodox  writers.  Some  faid  there  was  no 
dillindlion  at  all,  in  the  divine  being,  only  he  was  repre- 
fented  in  difterent  lights,  and  made  known  by  different 


64  Lectures  on  Dhinity, 

names,  as  (landing  in  different  relations  to  us.  Sabel- 
lius,  I  believe  was  the  firll  author  of  this  dodrine,  and  they 
were  afterwards  called  from  him  Sabellians,  and  fome- 
times  Patropaffians,  from  the  confeqiience  of  that  doctrine, 
that  the  Father  as  much  as  the  Son,  muft  have  fulFered 
upon  the  crofs.  Others  went  to  the  oppofite  extreme, 
and  fuppofed  there  are  three  wholly  diftinct  and  indepen- 
dent, but  concordant  bein,Q:s  :  neither  of  thefe  have  ever 
been  the  general  fentimentsof Chriflian  divines;  nor  do 
I  think  any  of  them  is  at  all  agreeable  to  fcriptiire  or  reafon. 
We  find  in  fcripture  nioft  clear  and  pofitive  affertions  of 
the  unity  of  God  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other,  a 
real  plurality,  in  fome  refpecls.  There  is  a  common, 
peculiar  and  reciprocal,  but  diftindl  agency.  The  Father 
is  faid  to  beget  the  Son — rto  fend  the  Son — and  the  Son 
to  pray  to  the  Father,  to  promife  and  to  fend  the  Spirit, 
which  is  faid  to  proceed  from  the  Father — and  the  folemii 
benedidlion,  is  in  the  name  and  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jefus  Chriil,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghoft. 

Some  time  before  the  council  of  Nice,  Arius,  fet  on 
foot  his  notions  of  the  inferiority  of  the  Son  and  Spirit, 
calling  them,  either  properly  or  improperly,  creatures.  I 
ufe  the  word  improperly,  becaufe  there  were  fome,  efpe- 
cially  in  latter  times,  called  refined  Arians,  who  refpedled 
the  Son  as  dependant  in  the  order  of  nature  ;  but  at  the 
fame  time,  as  an  eternal  effect,  from  an  eternal  caufe. — 
In  oppofition  to  Arius,  the  council  of  Nice  aflerted  the 
Son  to  be  truly  and  properly  God,  of  one  fubflance  with 
the  Father,  felf-exiilent  and  independent.  La II  of  all 
came  the  Pelagians,  and  the  Socinians,  who  denied  the 
divine  nature  of  Chriil  altogether,  and  afTerted  that  he 
was  only  a  man.  Thefe  opinions,  as  doing  the  utmofl 
violence  to  fcripiure,  and  over-throwing  the  whole  doc- 
trine of  redemption,  deferved  to  be  treated  with  the  ut- 
mofl abhorrence.  Nor  indeed  are  Arians  at  bottom  much 
better,  becaufe  the  difference  between  the  mofl  exalted 
creature  and  the  meanefl,  vaniflies  altogether,  when 
compared  with  the  difference  between  the  mightiell  order 
of  created  beings,  and  the  true  God. 


Lectures  on  Dhlnity.  ^^ 

The  whole  oeconomy  of  our  falvation  teaches  us  the 
neceiTity  of  atteiiding  to  and  believing  this  doctrine;  but 
I  fee  neith*er  neceflity  nor  propriety  in  endeavoring  to  dip 
into  the  mode  of  it,  and  attempting  to  explain  it.  If  it  be 
a  myilery  and  above  our  comprehenfion,  every  attempt 
to  explain  it  mull  be,  if  not  criminal,  yet  unfuccefsful. 
And  indeed  this  is  the  cafe  with  almoft  every  thing  that 
relates  to  God,  or  is  connedled  with  the  Divine  perfedion. 
The  wifell  way  for  us,  with  regard  to  all  revealed  truth,  is 
to  receive  it  as  revealed,  not  prefuming  to  be  wife  above 
what  is  written* 

I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  condemn  the  Council  of 
Nice,  for  though  there  may  not  be  a  great  deal  in  fome  of 
the  expreflions  ufed  by  them,  their  only  meaning  was  to 
expfefs  their  difapprobation  of  the  opinion  of  Arius,  which 
was  certainly  fubverfive  of  the  proper  divinity  of  Chrifl. 
But  I  apprehend  we  ought  to  condemn  the  making  em- 
blems of  this  truth,  fuch  as  a  triangle  infcribed  in  a  cir- 
cle. This  at  lead  is  of  no  ufe,  or  more  probably  it  is  al- 
ways pernicious ;  and  indeed  I  fliould  think  it  a  diredl 
breach  of  the  fecond  commandment :  nay,  I  think  at- 
tempting to  explain  it  by  the  powers  of  created  intelli- 
gences is  no  way  fafe  or  proper,  although  done  by  fome 
very  worthy  men.  For  an  example,  when  the  trinity  is 
fuppofed  tocorrefpond  with  power,  intelledt  and  will,  in 
the  human  nature. 

It  is  not  the  ufual  way,  on  mod  fubjeds,  to  introduce 
or  anfwer  objedions,  before  propofing  the  proof;  yet  I 
believe  it  will  be  the  moil  proper  metlK)d,  on  the  fubjedt 
we  are  now  treating.  The  difficulty  here  does  not  arife 
from  the  weaknefs,  uncertainty,  or  obfcurity  of  the  proof; 
but  from  the  power  of  prejudice.  In  order  therefore  to 
prevent  or  deftroy  prejudice,  it  will  be  bed  to  confider 
what  objections  lie  in  the  way  of  the  do6\rine.  The  ra- 
ther indeed,  that  all  objections  to  the  dodrine  itfelf  .are, 
reducible  to  one — that  it  is  contrary  to  reafon,  abfurd,  in- 
conceivable,  or  impoiRble.  It  is  furprifmg  to  think  with 
what  infolence  and  triumph  fome  have  pretended  to  treat 
this  fentiment,  frying  it  is  a  contradidion  that  God  Ihould 
Vol.  iV.  I 


66  Lectures  on  Divinity, 

be  both  one  and  three,  at  the  fame  time.  But  notwilh* 
flanding  the  great  confidence  with  which  enemies  to  the 
truth  talk  upon  this  fubjedl,  I  am  fmcerely  of  opinion, 
that  their  confidence  never  could  be  more  mifplaced. 
Let  us  examine  the  matter  coolly  and  impartially.  When* 
men  fpeak  of  a  thing  as  againft  reafon,  and  yet  pretend 
to  believe  in  Revelation,  the  meaning  muft  be,  that  it  is  {o 
manifefily  abfurd  and  ielf-contradi6lory  that  no  proof  can 
fupport  a  revelation  which  contains  it.  But  in  order  to 
this  it  mull  be  a  thing  altogether  within  the  compais  of 
our  reafon  and  judp:ment ;  ifotherwile,  the  firft  unexpe- 
rienced didlate  of  reafon,  is  nothing  at  all  ;  neither  for, 
nor  againft  it.  The  (late  of  nature  and  experimental  phi- 
lofophy  did  fcarcely  ever  flievv  things  to  be  what  men  ima- 
gined them  before  ;  neither  is  it  at  all  wonderful  that  re- 
velation fhould  inform  us  of  what  we  could  not  have  fuf- 
pe6ted.  The  ufe  of  revelation  indeed  implies  this.  There- 
fore the  common  diiUnftion  of  fyilematical  divines,  is  far 
from  being  either  obfcure  or  improper,  that  things  maybe 
above  reafon,  and  yet  not  contradidory  to  it. 

By  this  expreflion  above  reafon,  may  be  underfiood 
two  things — beyond  the  power  of  reafon  to  difcover,  and 
above  the  reach  of  reafon  to  comprehend.  In  the  firll 
fenfe,  it  would  be  abfurd  to  controvert  it,  and  even  in  the 
other,  if  it  was  carefully  attended  to,  and  prejudice  laid 
af.de,  there  would  be  little  difficulty.  The  enemies  of 
the  truth  always  put  more  in  the  idea  than  is  intended, 
or  ought  to  be  contained  in  it.  The  juft  (latement  of  it 
is  precifely  this,  we  believe  a  fa6t  which  is  fully  proved 
and  authenticated,  although  there  are  fome  circumfian- 
ces,  as  to  its  caufe  and  confequences,  that  we  do  not 
isnderdand.  There  are  many  things  in  theological, 
moral,  and  natural  knowled^^e  in  which  the  cafe  is  the 
very  fame.  I  believe  that  God  is  a  fpirit,  and  that  there 
are  alfo  created  fpirits  different  from  God,  wholly  un- 
embodied,  and  yet  I  have  very  obfcure  and  indillindt 
ideas,  if  any  idea  properly  at  all,  of  what  a  fpirit  is, 
and  the  manner  of  its  operation.  Cartefians  believe  that 
it  ipirit  has  no  extention,  and  that  a  hundred  thoufand  of 


Lectures  on  Divinity,  67 

them  maybe  in  the  fime  place  ;  which  by  the  bye  is  an 
exampie  of  the  ablurdity  with  which  men  talk  upon  fub- 
je61:s  which  they  do  not  undtriland  ;  for  according  to 
them,  place  is  a  relation  incompetent  to  a  fpirit,  and 
therefore  it  is  as  abfurd  to  fay  that  a  fpirit  is  in  a  place,  as 
that  three  are  in  the  fame  place.  The  whole  matter  is 
above  our  comprehenfion,  and  no  man  can  make  me  un» 
derdand  eitner  how  diflindt  fubllances  can  occupy  the 
fame  place,  or  even  the  Newtonian  opinion,  that  a  fub- 
ftance,  fimple  and  indivifible,  can  be  in  every  place. 
From  which  it  is  demonftrable  that  there  may  be  many 
circumftances  relating  to  things  of  great  moment  and  cer* 
tainty,  that  are  to  us  totally  incomprehenfible.  In  natu- 
ral things  I  believe  that  the  feed  rotting  in  the  ground,  is 
the  mean  of  producing  the  blade  of  the  future  llalkr'1:)Ut 
if  you  alk  me  how  this  is  done,  or  how  the  moid  earth  cart 
have  any  influence  either  on  the  mortification  or  the 
growth,  I  know  nothing  at  all  about  it. 

Therefore  though  we  fay  that  the  trinity  in  unity  is  in- 
comprehenfible, or  above  reafon,  we  fay  nothing  that  is 
abfurd  or  contrary  to  reafon ;  fo  far  from  it,  I  may  fay 
rather  it  is  confonant  to  reafon  and  the  analogy  of  nature 
that  there  fliould  be  many  things  in  the  divine  nature  that 
we  cannot  fully  comprehend.  There  are  many  fuch 
things  in  his  providence,  and  furely  much  more  in  his  ei\ 
fence. 

But  when  our  adverfaries  are  prefTed  upon  this  fubje(5V, 
they  fay  fometimes  it  is  not  an  incomprehenfible  myllery 
we  find  fault  with,  but  an  apparent  contradiction  that 
God  Ihould  be  three  and  one.  We  know  very  well  what 
numbers  are,  and  we  know  perfectly,  whatever  is  three, 
cannot  be  one,  or  one  three.  Bat  this  is  owing  to  great 
inattention,  or  great  obflinacy.  We  do  not  fay  there  are 
three  Gods  and  yet  one  God ;  three  perfons  and  yet  one 
perfon ;  or  that  the  Divine  Being  is  three  in  the  fame 
fenfe  and  r^fpe6l  that  he  is  one  ;  but  only  that  there  is  a 
dilVmdlion,  confident  with  perfedt  unity  of  nature.  I 
apprehend  great  referve  and  felf-denial  is  our  duty  on  this 
fubjed.  It  has  fometimes  been  faid,  why  fhould  we 
doubt  whether  there  can  be  three  perfons  in  one  nature, 


68  l^ectures  on  Dhinhy, 

wl:en  we  ourfelve?  are  an  example  of  an  incomprehenfible 
union  of  this  nature  in  our  pcrfons.  If  this  be  ufecl  mere- 
ly  c.s  an  iliullration,  and  tq  fiiew  that  the  thing  is  poiuble 
and  credible,  I  have  no  objeQion  to  it ;  but  if  it  be  carri- 
ed farther,  it  is  improper  and  dangerous. 

Upon  the  whole,  we  ought  to  conHder  the  objedion 
againft  this  do£lrine  as  altogether  ill  founded,  and  be  rea- 
dy to  receive  with  all  humility  the  Revelation  of  God  up- 
qn  this  fubjeCt  juil  as  he  has  been  pleafed  to  comn)unicate 

it* 

The  fecond  thing  to  be  attended  to  is  the  proof  of  the 
dodrine,  as  contained  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  On  this  I 
willjufl,  very  fhortly,  confider  the  fcripture  proof  of  the 
Trinity  in  general,  and  then,  at  fome  more  length,  point 
out  the  proofs  of  the  proper  Deity  of  Chrift  the  Son  ;  upon 
-.vhich  lad,  as  is  natural  to  fuppofe,  the  controverfy  hath 
always  chiefly  turned- 

The  proofs  of  the  Trinity  in  general  may  be  taken  (i) 
From  the  form  of  baptifm  ;  we  are  .commanded  to  bap- 
tife  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft. 

As  baptifm  is  the  initiating  profeffion  taken  from  all 
converts,  it  feems  evidently  to  point  at  the  great  obje6t 
of  worfhip  and  obedience.  Neither  do  I  fee  at  all  how 
it  can  be  accounted  for,  that  the  Son  and  Holy  Ghoft 
fliould  be  clafTed  and  put  upon  the  fame  footing  with  the 
Father — but  upon  the  fuppofition  of  this  truth.  And  in- 
deed their  very  defignation  leads  us  to  an  equality  of  rank, 
it  is  not  faid  in  the  name  of  God,  and  the  name  of  Jefus 
of  Nazareth,  or  his  human  name,  but  in  the  name  of 
the  Father  and  the  Son.  Thofe  who  will  confider  this 
matter  attentively  will  find  more  in  it  than  perhaps  at 
fird  fight  appeared.  Baptifm  is  certainly  the  badge  of 
Chriftianity,  the  feal  of  God's  covenant.  With  whom  then 
is  a  covenant  made  ?  Doubtlcfs  with  thqfe  in  whole  name 
we  were  baptifed,  and  therefore  our  covenant  God,  is 
mod  fully  defcribed  by  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghod.  To 
this  you  may  add,  that  the  Apodle  Paul  feemtd  plainly 
in  the  fird  Epidle  to  the  Corinthians,  to  confider  baptifm 
as  pointing  at  fomething  very  different  from  any  rplatiou 


Lectures  on  Divinity,  >  69 

that  a  mlmfter  could  fuflain.     i  Cor.  i,  13, 14,  15,  "Is 

*'  Chrill  divided  ?  was  Paul  crucified  for  you  ?"  &c. 

2d.  The  proof  of  the  Trinity  in  general  may  be  taken 
from  the  form  of  folemn  benedidion,  the  love  of  God  the 
Father,  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and  the  com^ 
munion  of  the  Holy  Ghofl,  be  with  you  all.  As  in  the 
former  inftance,  the  three  are  taken  in  as  the  objedi  of 
worfhip  and  obedience,  here  they  are  plainly  conjoined 
asthefource  of  blefTednefs. 

3d.  The  proof  of  the  Trinity  in  general  may  be  taken 
from  an  exprefs  pafTage  of  fcripture,  i  John,  v,  7.  **  therp 
"  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,"  &c. 


LECTURE   X, 


WE  come  now  to  prove  the  do£lrine  of  the  Trinity 
from  the  proofs  of  the  proper  Deity  of  the  Son 
and  Spirit.  On  this  the  controverfy  has  chiefly  turned,  and 
efpecially  the  firfl,  the  divinity  of  the  Son  ;  becaufe  if  this 
v/as  admitted,  it  would  be  to  very  little  purpofe  to  objedl 
againft  the  other ;  for  this  reafon  we  find  that  ever  fince 
the  firft  llarting  of  the  controverfy  it  has  been  litigated 
with  great  zeal  and  warmth  on  both  fides ;  this  was  to  be 
expeded,  as  it  muft  evidently  appear  an  article  of  the  ut^ 
moit  moment  to  both.  I  muft  obferve,  however,  that 
the  controverfy  has  been  chiefly  managed  by  Arians  till 
of  late  years.  Now  it  feems  to  me  there  are  but  very 
few  proper  Arians,  the  greater  number  of  the  oppofers  of 
the  truth  are  Socinians. 

You  are  not  to  expe£t  that  I  fhould  go  through  the 
whole  of  this  controverfy,  which  has  been  carried  to  ib 
great  a  length  ;  the  palTagcs  of  fcripture  adduced  on  both 
fides  are  more  numerous  than  we  would  fuppofe ;  and 
the  criticifms,  objedions  and  anfwers,  are  exceedingly 
voluminous.     You  v/ill  hy  then^  the  controverfy  muft 


yo  Lectures  on  Dmnity. 

needs  be  difficult  and  obfcure.— The  confequence  Is  not 
juil,  for  whenever  there  is  a  flrong  bias  and  inclination 
one  way,  it  is  eafy  for  ingenious  men  to  perplex  and 
lengthen  out  a  difpute.  The  great  matter  is  the  objec- 
tion I  mentioned  in  the  preceding difcourfe.  If  men  be 
once  fully  fatisfied  that  this  thing  is  not  impoffible  or  in- 
credible, and  be  willing  to  affent  to  the  account  of  the 
nature  of  God  without  prejudice,  as  it  ftands  in  his  own 
"Vvord,  I  do  not  think  there  is  any  uncertainty  in  it  at  all. 
1  (hall  (late  to  you  the  chief  heads  of  any  importance  that 
have  been  ufed. 

I.  The  name  of  God,  and  his  titles — the  moft  tranfcen- 
dent  and  peculiar — are  given  to  Chrift.  Through  the  Old 
Teftament,  the  name  of  Jehovah  or  Lord,  but  particularly 
the  firfl:,  is  given  to  one  who  is  often  called  an  angel,  and 
the  angel  of  the  covenant ;  and  by  this  manner  of  fpeak- 
ing  in  feveral  pafTagcs,  muft  be  diftinguifhed  from  God 
the  Father,  as  in  the  iioth  pfalm,  the  Lord  faid  unto  my 
Lord. — This  therefore  muft  be  underftood  of  Chrift.  The 
angel  who  appeared  to  Hagar,  Gen.  xvi,  and  that  appear- 
ed to  Jacob  at  Bethel,  Gen.  xiii,  are  both  called  God.-^Ia 
Exodus,  chap,  iii,  an  angel  is  faid  to  have  appeared  to 
Mofes,  at  the  bufli,  and  yet  this  angel  fays,  I  am  the  God 
of  your  father,  the  God  of  Ifrael,  who  delivered  the  law  on 
mount  Sinai,  and  yet  Stephen  fays,  A6ls  vii.  38,  that  it 
was  an  angel  that  fpoke  unto  Mofes,  upon  mount  Sinai, 
and  was  with  the  fathers  :  but  what  ferves  to  apply  many 
of  thefe  paflages  in  the  moft  precife  manner,  is  comparing 
Numb.  xxi.  8.  with  i  Cor.  x.  9.  in  the  firft  it  is  faid,  that 
the  Ifraelites  tempted  God,  and  fpake  againft  God,  and  that 
therefore  he  fent  among  them  fiery  ferpents. — In  the  other 
paftage  the  apoPde  Paul  afiirmeth,  that  this  Vv^as  Chrift, 
*^  Let  us  not  tempt  Chrift,  as  fome  of  them  alfo  tempted, 
and  were  deftroyed  of  ferpents."  See  farther,  Pfalm  ii.  12. 
''  Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  have  I  begotten  thee."  Pfal. 
xlv.  7.  *'  Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever,"  &c. 
which  palTage  the  apoiUe  Paul  applies  to  Chrift.  i  Heb.  i, 
8.  "  But  unto  the  Son  he  faith,  thy  throne  O  God,  is  for 
'^  ever  and  ever,"  &c.  Another  proof  may  be  taken  from 
Prov,  viii.  22.  Thedefcriptionpf  wifdom — again,in  Ifa.  vL 


Lectures  on  Dmnitf.  ff 

from  the  beginning,  "  In  the  year  that  king  Uzziah  died/' 
&c.  This  palTage  is  exprefsly  appHed  to  Chrift,  by  the 
apoltle  John  xii.  41,  when,  having  cited  the  paiTagc,  he 
fays,  *'"  thefe  things  faid  Ifaiah,**  &.c.  the  truth  is,  there  is 
hardly  any  writing  in  the  Old  Teflament,  but  by  com- 
paring it  with  the  New,  we  may  draw  a  proof  of  the  di- 
vinity of  Chrift. 

2.  The  thing  itfelf — the  propofition  that  Jefus  Chrifl  is 
God,  is  contained  in  the  mod  explicit  terms,  not  in  one, 
but  in  many  places  of  fcripture — not  in  iigure,  but  in 
plain  fimple  language,  John  i.  i.  "  In  the  beginning  was 
*'  the  word,"  &.c.  Phil.  ii.  6.  "  Who  being  in  the  form  of 
*'  God,  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God,"&c. 
John  X.  30.  "  I  and  my  Father  are  one."  i  John  v.  20. 
"  this  is  the  true  God,  and  eternal  life."  It  would  be 
endlefs  to  mention  all  fetches  and  imaginations  of  men 
under  the  power  of  prejudice,  to  evade  thefe  texts :  but  I  on- 
ly call  to  your  mind  what  was  before  mentioned — Cleave 
to  either  fide  of  the  queflion,  and  fay,  Whether  or  not  the 
fcriptures  have  plainly  affirmed  Chrifl's  divinity  ? — It  is 
not  only  the  affixations,  but  the  reafoning  upon  fome  of 
them,  that  fixes  the  fenfe,  as  in  the  Philippians.  And  in 
that  affirmation,  I  and  my  Father  are  one,  it  is  undeniable 
that  the  Jews  underlfood  him  in  that  fenfe,  for  it  is  added, 
*'  they  immediately  took  up  fiones  to  ftone  him,"  &c.  It 
has  been  often  faid  by  reafoners  upon  this  fubjedl,  fuppo- 
fing  it  was  the  defign  of  the  fcripture  to  affirm  the  divinity 
of  Chrift,  it  does  not  appear  what  plainer  or  flrbnger  words 
could  have  been  ufed. 

.  3d.  The  moft  diftinguifhing  and  efiential attributes  of  the 
true  God  are  given  to  Chrift.  I  fhall  mention  only  his  eter- 
nity, immutability,  omnifcience,  omniprefence  and  omni- 
potence. It  is  not  eafy  to  conceive  any  attribute  incommu- 
nicable if  thefe  are  not.  Eternity  feems  plainly  to  be  afcri- 
bedto  him,  Prov.  viii.  22.  Rev.  i.  8.  &c.  and  in  the  famous 
paflage,  Mic.  v.  2.  "  Whofe  goings  forth  have  been  of  old 
from  (i)  everlafting."  Indeed  I  reckon  the  frequent  appel- 
lation of  Jehovah  is  a  fufficient  proof  of  this  ;  the  word  is 
derived  from  what  fignifies  exiftence — Exod.  iii.  14, 
John  viii.  38.  (2)  Immutability,  Heb.  i.  10.  Heb.  xviii. 


iji  Lectures  on  DmnUy, 

8.  "  Jefus  Chrift  the  fame  yeHerday,  to  day,  and  for  ever.'^ 
(3)  Omnifcience.  John  xvi.  30.  "  Now  we  are  fure  that 
"thou  knowefl  all  things;"  and  again,  John  xxi.  17. 
"  Lord  thou  knowefl  all  things,"  &:c.  It  is  remarkable, 
that  the  knowledge  of  the  heart  is  alTerted  in  feveral  para- 
ges, to  diflinguifh  the  true  God,  i  Kings,  viii.  39^ 
*'  Therein  thou  only  knovveit  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
«*  men." — and  John  xvii.  10.  "  I  the  Lord,  fearch  the 
'*  hearts,  and  try  the  reins,"  &c.  yet  this  very  perfeaion 
our  Lord  claims  to  himfelf.  Rev.  ii.  23.  and  the  apofile 
John  teftifies  that  he  knew  all  men,  John  ii.  24. — and 
knew  what  was  in  man,  John  ii.  25.— this  is  further  con- 
firmed, iv.  12,  13.  "  The  word  of  God,"  5^c. 

(4)  Omniprefence.  Matth.  xviii.  20.  <*  Where  two  or 
"  three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name,"  &.c.  Matth. 
xxviii.  20.  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  always,"  &.c. 

(5)  Omnipotence*  CoK  i,  17.  "  By  him  all  things  con- 
«'  flit."  Creation  is  afcribed  to  Chriil,  John  i*  3,  "  All 
"  things  were  made  by  him,"  &c.  and  in  the  fame  chapter, 
verfe  10,  "  and  the  world  was  made  by  him,"  Heb.  i.  2, 
♦' by  whom  alfo  he  made  the  world,"  Col,  i,  15,  16,  17. 
*'  who  is  the  image  of  the  invifible  God,"  Sec,  The  argu- 
ment from  creation,  is  very  ftrong. — It  is  the  firft  and 
great  relation  we  (land  under  to  God,  nor  can  we  conceive 
any  thing  that  more  properly,  or  in  a  more  diflinguifhing 
manner  it  charafterizes  the  true  God,  who  pleads  it  fo  of- 
ten, to  diilinguiih  himfelf  from  the  vanities  of  the  Gen- 
tiles,  Pfal,  xix-  i.  "  The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of 
*'  God,  and  the  firmament  fheweth  his  handy  word," 

5.  The  fifth  and  laft  proof  of  the  divinity  of  Chrift,  may 
be  taken  from  divine  worfhip  being  commanded  to  be 
given  to  him,  and  being  accepted  by  him  without  reproof, 
when  it  is  exprefsly  rejedled  by  the  inferior  minillers  of 
Providence.  It  is  commanded  to  be  given  to  him,  John 
iii.  22,  23.  "  The  Father  himfelf  judgeth  no  man."  Phil, 
ii.  5.  "  Wherefore,  God,  hath  highly  exalted  him,"  &c. 
It  is  adlually  given  him  by  the  wife  men,  Matth,  ii. 
II,  By  the  rulers  of  the  Synagogue,  Matth.  v,  8.  By 
women  of  Canaan,  Matth,  xv,  25.  By  the  difciples  in 
genera],  Matth.  xx.  5,  And  you  fee  that  worfliip  is  re- 
jedled  by  an  angel,  Rev,  xxii.  8,  4. 


Lectures  on  Dmnlty*  73 


LECTURE   XI. 


1  PROCEED  now  ihortly  to  confider  the  proofs  of  the 
divinity  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  firft  thing  neceflary 
here,  is  to  eftablifh  the  perfonality  of  the  Spirit. — That  he 
is  properly  a  perfon  or  fubftance,  and  not  merely  a  power, 
gift  or  qualification.  The  name  of  fpirit,  in  all  languages 
fignifies  a  wind  or  breath. — It  is  fuppofed  this  word  is 
chofen  to  repreient  divine  things,  or  the  divine  nature,  be- 
caufe  it  bears  fome  refemblance  to  what  is  unfecn,  and 
yet  infinitely  powerful.  The  wind  is  made  ufe  of  to  repre- 
fent  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  to  fignify  angels  and  the  fouls 
of  men,  and  alfo  the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Spirit. — That 
when  the  Holy  Ghpil  is  fpoken  of,  a  perfon  or  fubflance 
is  meant,  as  diftinguiflied  from  any  grace  or  qualification 
he  may  poffefs  or  beflow,  may  be  eafily  made  to  appear 
from  many  pafTages  of  fcripture,  John  xiv.  16.  "  And  I 
*'  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  fhall  give  you  another  Com. 
**  forter,  that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever  ;  even  the 
*'  Spirit  of  truth,  whom  the  world  cannot  receive."  John 
xvi.  13.  "  When  he  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  come/*  &:c. 
I  Cor.  xii.  4.  "  There  are  diverfity  of  gifts,  but  the  fame 
**  Spirit,"  8^c.  The  form  of  baptifm  alfo  proves  the  fame 
thing,  as  well  asallthofe  pafTages  that  fpeak  of  giving  the 
Spirit — refilling  the  Spirit,  &c. 

That  the  Holy  Gholt  is  truly  and  properly  God,  I  think 
appears  with  great  evidence  from  the  form  of  baptifm, 
now  that  we  have  fully  proved  the  divinity  of  Chriff, 
whofe  perfonality  we  cannot  doubt.  The  Holy  Ghoft 
being  joined  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  carries  the. 
ftrongelt  convi(5tion  with  it  that  he  is  of  the  fame  nature 
with  both.  The  fame  thing  may  be  faid  of  the  form  of 
foleinn  benediction. 

VojL.  IV.  K 


y4  Lecturers  on  Di'omtyl 

The  divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghofl  feemstobe  eftabliflied 
inA6ts,  V.  3.  where  Peter  fays  to  Ananias  and  Sapphi- 
ra,  "  Why  hath  Satan  filled  thine  heart,"  &c.  We  might 
alfo  from  feveral  pafTages  ihew  the  divine  attributes  given  to 
the  Spirit,  as  omnipotence,  Pfalm  119,  **  Whither  ftiall 
*' I  go  from  thy  Spirit,"  &c.  Omnifcience,  Cor.  ii.  10, 
"  The  Spirit  fearcheth  all  things  even  the  deep  things  of 
*'  God,"  nay,  creation  feems  to  be  afcribed  to  him  as  well 
as  the  Son,  Gen.  i.  2,  It  is  faid  "  the  Spirit  of  God  mo- 
"  ved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters,"  and  Job  xxxiii.  4. 
*'  The  fpirit  of  the  Lord  hath  made  me,  and  the  breath 
"  of  the  Ahnip:hty  hath  given  me  Hfe." 

There  were  in  the  ancient  churches  confiderable  contro- 
verfies  about  the  exprefiion  of  the  articles  of  faith  upon 
this  lubjed.  The  very  words  of  fcripture,  John  xv.  26.  are, 
that  the  Spirit  proceedeth  from  the  Father.  He  is  alio  call- 
ed the  Spirit  of  the  Son,  and  theSpirit  of  Chrift,  Rom.  viii, 
9.  Gal.  xiv.  6.  Phil.  i.  14,  I  Pet.  i.  ii.  both  the  Fa- 
ther  and  the  Son  are  faid  to  fend  the  Spirit,  John  xv.  26. 
John  xvi.   7.  Gal.  iv.  6.  Luke  xxiv.  49. 

Therefore  the  ufual  way  ot  fpeaking,  and  that  in  all  the 
ancient  fymbols  and  confeflions  is,  that  the  Son  is  begotten 
of  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghoft  proceedeth  from  the 
Father  and  the  Son.  If  ?ny  one  Ihould  prefume  to  en- 
quire farther  into  the  meaning,  or  aik  the  difference  be- 
tween being  begotten  and  proceeding,  I  fhould  willingly 
and  chearfuUy  confefs  my  ignorance,  and  that  I  believe 
all  others  are  equally  ignorant,  and  that  every  attempt  to 
fay  more  than  is  actually  contained  in  fcripture  is  not 
only  impoflible  but .  hurtful.  There  was  a  very  violent 
difpute  between  the  Latin  and  Greek  churches  whether 
it  was  proper  to  fay  the  Holy  Ghoil  proceeded  from  the 
Father  and  Son,  or  from  the  Father  only.  The  whole 
current  of  antiquity,  and  the  whole  Li^tin  churches  are 
for  the  former,  as  well  as  the  Protellants  in  general ;  but 
it  is  not  a  modern  controverfy. 

I  proceed  to  confider  fome  of  the  objedlions  againft  the 
reafoning  above,  and  unlefs  I  enter  into  the  criticifms  or 
particular  texts,  they  may  be  all  reduced  to  the  reafon- 
ing on  the  titles  and  attributes.     They  objeft  t)iat  feme 


Lectures  on  Dhinityl  ^^g^ 

of  the  hi^Iieft  titles  were  not  ^\ven  to  the  Son,  as — the 
higheft  or  moil  hi^h — the  Ahnighty  or  Supreme  over  ail 
•—one  God  and  Father  of  all — one  God  of  whom  are  all 
things.  But  it  is  eafy  to  anfwer  that  none  of  thefe  titles 
are  greater  or  «nore  diftiaguilhin^  than,  as  has  been  (hewn, 
do  really  belong  to  Chriil,  and  that  Tome  of  thofe  men- 
tioned are  alio  afcribed  to  Chrifl  ;  fuch  as  the  Almighty, 
and  God  over  all.  So  that  tney  are  obliged  to  have  re- 
courfe  to  the  meanell  quibbles,  to  interpret  away  thefe 
texts.  As  for  the  expreflion  one  God,  and  the  title  one 
God,  the  Father,  of  whom  are  all  things — thev  are  plainly 
ufed  in  a  dillribiition  of  perfonal  acts  or  prerog^atives,  one 
God  the  Father,  of  whom  are  all  things,  and  one  Lord 
Jefus  Ghrift  by  whom  are  all  things. 

The  other  objeftion  is,  that  fuch  titles  are  afcribed  to 
him  in  a  lower  fenfe  than  to  the  Father.  Nothing  could 
fuggeil  fuch  an  objedlion  as  this  except  the  power  of  pre« 
judice.  They  mud  firfl:  take  for  granted  their  own  fen- 
timents,  before  they  can  perceive  any  fuch  thing  ;  befides 
many  of  them  are  fuch  as  do  not  admit  of  a  proportion  in 
this  way — fuch  as  creation — omnifcience — omnipotence. 


LECTURE   XII, 


Of  the  Decrees  of  God. 

WE  have  this  ftrong  affertion  in  fcripture,  "  can  any 
"  by  fearching  find  out  the  Almighty,"  &c. 
If  the  nature  of  God  has  fomething  in  it  altogether  un- 
fearchable  to  us,  fo  muft  alfo  his  decrees.  It  is  certainly 
proper  and  necelTary  for  divines  to  know  all  that  can  be 
known  on  this  fubjedt,  and  therefore  the  lludy  of  a 
whole  life  would  be  well  bellowed  on  it,  if  it  were 
fure  of  fuccefs.  Yet  1  apprehend  a  caution  is  not 
unneceffary    while    we   are    entering    upon    it.      Our 


^6  Z^ctures  on  Dhinity. 

great  wifdom  conufls  in  receiving,  admitting,  remem- 
bering and  applying,  whatever  is  clearly  revealed  in  fcrip- 
ture,  with  regard  both  to  the  nature  and  government  of 
God  ;  at  the  fame  time,  we  ought  to  retrain  an  impatient 
curiofity,  and  guard  againfl:  unneceflary,  inexplicable  and 
hurtful  quellions,  on  thefe  fubjeds.  The  fcriptures  do  not 
'contain  any  thing  that  is  unfit  for  us  to  know.  If  it  feem- 
ed  neceflary  to  God  to  reveal  the  univerfality  of  his  pro- 
vidence and  the  certainty  of  his  purpofe,  we  ought  with- 
out doubt  to  believe  and  improve  it.  On  the  other  hand, 
let  us  not  prefume  to  go  any  farther  than  he  hath  pointed 
out  to  us  the  way.  Whatevei"  he  hath  covered  with  a  veil 
it  would  be  both  raflinefs  and  impiety  to  attempt  to  pene- 
trate. It  is  therefore  my  defign  to  Hate  this  matter  to 
you  in  as  precife  and  fcriptural  a  manner  as  I  am  able,  al- 
though I  mufl  necelTarily  ufe  feveral  of  the  theological 
fy fiematical  phrafes,  becaufe  without  them  the  various 
opinions  could  neither  be  fifted  nor  explained. 

The  expreflion  itfelf ''  the  decrees  of  God"  is  in  a  great 
meafure^  if  not  wholly,  technical.  In  the  Old  Teftament, 
indeed,  there  are  feveral  expreiQions  particularly  relating 
to  the  frame  and  conflitution  of  nature,  which  are  tranfla- 
tedin  the  Englifh  Bible  decrees,  as  in  the  Prov.  viii.  29. 
''  V/hen  he  gave  to  the  fea  his  decree,"  &lc.  and  in  the  fe- 
cond  Pfalm,fpeaking  of  the  raifing  MeiTiah  to  his  throne— 
**  I  will  declare  the  decree."  In  all  of  thefe  1  believe  (for 
I  have  confulted  moft  of  them)  it  is  the  fame  word  that  is 
frequently  or  ufually  tranllated — statute^  and  to  be  fure 
has  a  meaning  fomewhat  fimilar  to  that  of  the  word  ufed 
in  theology,  that  is,  it  fignifies  the  order  or  purpofe  of 
God  in  nature  and  providence.  In  the  New  Teilament 
there  is  no  expreflion  on  this  fubje6\  that  has  been  iranf- 
lated  decree,  though  fome  di\\\t phrases  might  have  been 
fo  tranllated.  The  expreffions  in  the  New  Teilament  are 
council,  purpose^  determinate  council  J'orehionjoledge  ;  and 
when  it  relates  to  the  Hate  of  man,  choosing,  orduimng^ 
predestinating.  I  enter  upon  the  criticifm  of  the  Greek 
words,  becaufe  I  think  it  is  manifell  they  are  not  only 
tranfiated  well  into  Englifh,  but  that  they  are  moftly,  if 
pot  wholly,  of  the  fame  import  that  they  <:^re  yfually  un- 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  77 

derftood  to  pofTefs.  I  fhall  now  Ihew  you  a  faraple  of  the 
Socinian  criticifm  on  A6ls  xiii.  48.  It  is  faid  osoi  csaii 
tetagmenoi  eis  zoeen  aiomon,  which  they  tranilate,  "  as 
many  as  were  fet  in  order,  or  well  prepared  for  eternal 
life,  believed."  They  obferve  that  tetagmenoi  means, 
fet  in  order  like  a  difciplined  army.  But  it  is  manifeit 
that  the  word  here  means  particularly  appointed  and  or- 
dained.  By  comparing  together  the  feveral  exprelLons 
ufed,  the  meaning  that  we  mull  affign  to  the  whole  is, 
that  thie  plan  of  Providence  and  grace,  as  well  as  the  fyf- 
lem  of  nature,  mud  be  fuppofed  to  be  fixed  and  deter- 
mined, and  not  loofe  and  uncertain,  till  the  event,  or  till 
one  thing  be  afcertained  or  determined  by  another. — That 
things  are  not  to  God  as  they  are  to  us,  to  whom  things 
future  have  no  certainty  or  liability,  but  that  as  far  back 
as  we  can  carry  our  ideas  they  were  known,  and  therefore 
certainly  ordained.  Or  as  fome  exprefs  it,  that  every 
thing  that  comes  to  have  a  tranfient  exiftence  in  time,  had 
as  it  were  an  original  eternal  pre-exiftence,  in  the  divine 
mind.  Yet  after  all,  you  fee  there  is  fomething  in  the 
expreflion  decrees  or  purposes^  which  feems  to  take  its  rife 
only  from  our  own  fituations  and  imperfedtions. 

Men  are  obliged  to  meditate,  concert  and  digefl  their 
plans  of  future  condu(5l,  before  they  begin  to  a£l,  and  then 
it  is  called  their  purpofe,  refolution,  or  defign,  as  dif- 
tindt  from  the  adlual  execution.  From  this  we  feem  by 
analogy  to  borrow  the  divine  decrees.  Yet  every  thing 
that  implies,  or  arifes  from  ignorance,  uncertainty,  weak- 
nefs,  or  im perfection,  mud  be  as  much  as  is  in  our  pow- 
er, feparated  and  abllratled,  when  we  fpeak  of  the  de- 
crees of  God. 

This  leads  us  to  obferve,  that  it  has  often  been  remark- 
ed by  divines,  that  we  are  not  to  confider  the  divine  de- 
crees, in  fo  far  as  they  are  ads  of  the  divine  will,  as  being 
any  thing  different  or  dillinCt  from  the  divine  nature. 
There  are  fome  who  have  ufed  the  expreffion  immanent 
decrees,  a  phrafe  which  I  confefs  I  do  not  in  the  lead  de- 
cree underfland  the  meaning  of,  and  therefore  I  can  nei- 


^5  Lectures  on  Dmnitf, 

ther  affirm  nor  contradia  it ;  without  doubt  we  are  to  fepa* 
rate  every  thin>^  beloivTing  to  created  weaknefs.  We  are 
not  to  fuppofe  that  God  needs  forethought  to  difcover,  or 
time  tod'igeft  his  plans,  or  that  by  any  ad  of  his  will  he 
feeks  information,'  or  feeks  or  receives  gratification  from 
any  thing  without  him— If  by  calling  the  decrees  of  God 
immanent  a61s,  it  is  meant  to  deny  thefe,  it  is  fo  far  juft. 
But  when  it  is  affirmed  that  the  ads  of  the  divine  will,  are 
the  hmc  with  the  divine  nature,  as  if  this  explained  the 
difference  between  divine  and  human  volitions,  this  I 
confefs  is  to  me  quite  incomprehenfible. 

In  what  fliall  be  further  offered  on  this  fubjed,  I  Ihali 
follow  this  method  : — 

1.  Speak  a  little  of  the  objed  of  the  divine  decrees. 

2.  Of  the  order  of  the  decrees. 

3.  Of  the  charaaer,  quality,  or  attributes  of  the  decrees 
as  given  in  fcripture. 

4.  Of  their  ufes. 

I.  Let  us  confider  the  objea  of  the  decrees,  and  of  this 
but  a  little,  becaufe  it  will  occur  again  where  it  is  of  mo- 
ment to  examine  it ;  yet  it  will  throw  fome  light  upon 
fome  parts  of  the  doctrine,  to  obferve, 

(i.)Thattheobje6lsofthe  divine  decrees, are  flri£lly  and 
propel  ly  univerfal  ;  fo  much  fo  indeed,  as  not  to  admit  of 
any  exception,  or  fhadow  of  exception — all  creatures,  and 
all  their  a6lions,and  all  events.  Let  us  vary  it  as  we  pleafe, 
flill  it  relates  to  every  adion,  and  every  mode  of  the  adlion, 
and  every  quality  that  can  be  attributed  to  it — whatfoever 
comes  to  pafs.  The  reafon  of  this  is  plain — whatever  we 
ihall  think  fit  to  fay  upon  the  connexion  or  influence  of 
one  creature  or  thing  upon  another,  from  which  all  the 
difficulty  and  confufion  arifes,  yet  every  fuch  thing,  and 
that  connexion  itfelf,  as  much  as  the  things  to  which  it 
relates,is  the  objed  to  which  the  divine  foreknov/ledge, and 
the  divine  purpo'e  extended.  One  would  tliinkthat  men 
fhould  be  agreed  on  this  point;  and  probably  they  are  fo, 
if  they  underilood  one  another  ;  all  but  thofe  extravagant 
perfons,  as  they  may  well  be  called,  who  finding  them- 
fclves  hard  prelfed  by  the  arguments  drawn  from  the  di- 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  7f 

vine  prefcience,  have  thought  it  bed  to  deny  the  foreknow- 
ledge of  God  altogether,  or  affirm  that  nothing  that  is  fu-, 
ture  can  poflibly  be  certainly,  or  any  more  than  conjee- 
turally  known,  till  it  happens. — But  this  fentinient  is  ^o 
rcpuiinant  to  fcripture,  and  indeed  to  the  common  fenfe 
and  reafon  of  mankind,  that  few  have  flridlly  and  fincerely 
defended  it,  though  fome  have  occafionally  and  hypocri- 
tically advanced  it. 

(a.)  With  refped  to  the  objed  of  the  divine  decrees,  it 
mud  be  admitted,  that  there  is  fome  difference  between 
the  light  in  which  fome  events  and  actions  are  to  be  con- 
fidered,  and  others — The  great  difficulty  indeed,  and  that 
which  will  fpeedily  fet  bounds  to  our  enquiry  on  the  fub- 
je6l,  is  to  fhew  wherein  the  difference  confiils  ;  yet  it  is 
equally  certain,  from  revelation  and  reafon,  that  natural 
good  and  evil,  and  moral  good  and  evil,  are  to  be  confi- 
dered  as  not  in  the  fame  fenfe,  the  objedt  of  divine  appoint- 
ment.    This  leads  us  to  the 

lid.  General  head,  which  was  to  confider  the  order  of 
the  decrees.  Many  things  may  be,  and  many  things  have 
been  faid  upon  this  fubjecl — Divines  who  have  publifhed 
fyftems,  have  generally  exercifed  their  ingenuity  in  giving 
what  they  call  an  order  of  the  decrees.  The  chief  thing 
fuch  writers  have  in  view,  is  to  form  a  conception  for 
themfelves  and  others,  with  regard  to,  and  to  account  for, 
the  divine  purpofes,  with  regard  to  the  final  (fate  of  man. 
The  orders  which  have  been  laid  down  by  different  wri- 
ters, are  fo  very  numerous,  that  they  all  feem  to  me  to  la- 
bor under,  and  equally  to  labor  under,  this  prodigious 
weaknefs,  that  they  reprefent  the  Supreme  Being  as  vary- 
ing and  marfhalling  his  views,  and  comparing  as  men  do, 
which  yet  is  acknowledged  to  be  wrong. — They  alfo  feem 
to  carry  in  them  the  fuppofition  of  fucceffive  duration  ; 
yet  fucceffive  duration  we  have  generally  agreed  not  to 
afcribe  to  God,  although,  of  any  other  kind  of  exigence, 
we  have  not  the  lead  conception.  It  is  impoffible  for  me  to 
go  through  all  the  different  arrangements  that  have  been 
made  by  particular  authors  :  I  fhall  therefore  only  give 
you  a  fuccindt  view  of  the  chief  differences  of  divines  of 
different  clafles — Calvinills,  Arminians,  Socinians, 


8d  Lectures  on  Dmnii^l 

Calvinifls  are  divided  upon  this  fubjeft  into  two  forf^j 
commonly  called  Supralapfarians  and  Sublapfarians.  The 
reafon  of  the  names  are,  from  one  being  of  opinion  that 
God  in  ordaining  the  ele6l  and  reprobate  confidered  man 
as  before  the  fall,  and  the  other  as  fallen  and  in  a  Hate  of 
guilt. 

The  firft  fay  that  in  laying  down  a  plan,  what  islaft  in 
the- execution  is  firft  in  the  intention,  that  God  purpofed 
to  glorify  his  mercy  and  juftice  in  the  ev^rlafting  felicity 
of  feme,  called  veffels  of  mercy  ;  and  in  the  everlafling 
perdition  of  others,  called  vefTels  of  Wrath.  That  to  ac- 
compliHi  this  purpofe  he  refolved  to  create  the  world,  to 
put  man  in  a  condition  in  which  he  would  certainly  fall  ; 
to  fend  the  Redeemer  in  the  fullnefs  of  time  to  carry  oil 
the  wi-.ole  plan  of  falvation,  as  we  now  find  it  in  the  ora- 
cles of  truth. 

The  Sublapfarians  fay,  that  the  order  of  purpofing 
Should  be  the  fame  as  the  order  of  execution.  That  the  de* 
crees  of  God  being  eternal,  there  can  no  order  of  time  be 
applied  to  them,  but  that  which  takes  place  in  the  execu-* 
tion.  Therefore  they  fay  that  God  propofed  to  make 
man  innocent  and  holy,  with  powers  to  preferve  his  inno- 
cence, but  liable  to  fall ;  that  he  foreiliw  the  fall,  and  per- 
mitted it,  and  from  the  corrupted  mafs  freely  chofe  fome 
as  the  objeQs  of  mercy,  and  left  others  to  perilh  in  the 
ruins  of  their  apoftacy,  and  that  to  accompli{}i  this  pur- 
pofe he  refolved  to  fend  the  Saviour,  &c. 

It  is  eafy  to  fay  fomething  very  plaufible  on  each  fide 
of  the  queftion  between  the  two  :  it  feems  very  flrong 
what  Sublapfarians,  fay  that  the  idea  of  time  and  order  be- 
longs only  to  the  execution  :  but  why  do  they  alfo  fpeak 
of  order,  when  it  is  certain  that  as  far  as  we  can  clearly 
fpeak  of  defign  or  purpofe  at  all,  the  means  feem  to  be  de- 
fit>ned  for  the  end,  and  not  the  end  for  the  means. 
The  Supralapfarians  have  alfo  this  evident  advantage  of  all 
the  reft  that  they  have  the  fovereignty  of  God  directly^  for 
what  all  the  reft  are  obliged  to  come  to  at  last.  It  muft  be 
obferved  that  the  ftrongeft  Supralapfarians  do  conOantly  af- 
fert  the  LoVmefs  and  juftice  of  the  divine  providence.  If  you 
aflc  them  how  they  reconcile  the  divine  juftice  with  the  ab- 


Lectures  on  Dhmity.  Si 

folate  and  certain  event  they  confefs  they  cannot  explain 
it ;  but  thay  afBrm  that  all  that  the  others  fay  to  this  is 
perfectly  triding,  and  lefs  reafonable  than  their  confeflion 
ef  ignorance. 

The  Arniinians  fay  that  God  decreed  to  create  man 
innocent ;  and  that  after  he  had  fallen  he  refolved  for  fa- 
tisfadlion  to  juftice,  to  appoint  a  Saviour  ;  that  he  decreed 
to  fAvc  thofe  that  fhould  believe  and  repent ;  to  give  to 
all  fufficient  grace  for  that  purpofe  ;  and  finally  to  fave  and 
reward  thofe  who  iliould  endure  to  the  end.  It  is  plain 
that  whatever  reafon  they  may  offer  with  great  plaulible- 
nefs  for  feveral  things,  when  taken  in  a  feparate  and  de- 
tached view,  nothing  can  be  weaker  than  the  Arminian 
fcheme,  confidered  as  a  fyftem  of  the  divine  purpofe,  be- 
caufe  they  leave  out  or  fufpend  the  purpofe  at  every  ftage. 

As  to  the  Socinians  they  do  generally  deny  the  reality 
of  the  decrees  altogether,  and  (liy  that  the  event  is  wholly 
uncertain,  and  fufpended  upon  the  will  of  the  creature — 
as  many  of  them  as  maintain  or  admit  the  foreknowledge 
of  God,  do  it  contrary  to  their  other  principles. 

If  I  were  to  fay  any  thing  upon  this  fubjedt  (I  mean  the 
order  of  the  decrees)  I  would  fay  nearly  as  Pulit,  in  his 
lyftem  as  contained  in  the  notes  upon  Rulet,  has  faid, 
which  is  in  fubftance  this,  that  God  refolved  from  all 
eternity  to  manifefl  his  own  glory,  and  illuftrate  his  moral 
excellence,  wifdom,  power,  holinefs,  juilice,  goodnefs  and 
truth, in  the  produ61ionandgovernment  of  a  created  fyllem. 
That  for  this  purpofe  the  whole  fyflem,  and  all  the  fadls  of 
which  it  confifts  and  their  dependance  one  upon  another, 
and  the  order  itfelf  in  w^hich  they  were  to  take  place,  were 
ordained.  If  the  whole,  then  certainly  every  particular  part 
as  fully  as  the  whole,  is  the  objefl  of  one  abfolute  decree. 
In  this  view  they  are  all  upon  a  footing  ;  at  the  fame  time 
we  do  not  pretend  to  difpute  that  things  are  ordained 
with  confiderable  difference  ;  but  this  difference  it  is  hard 
or  impoffible  for  us  to  explain.  There  is  certainly  a  dif- 
ference between  the  ordination  of  things  natural,  and  thofe 
which  are  fmful  or  holy.  The  very  finful  difpofition,  confi. 
dered  as  becoming  a  part  of  the  general  plan, is  certainly  as 

Vol.  IV.  L 


82  Lectures  on  Blmilty, 

holy  an.  ordination  as  any  other,  yet  the  fcrlpture  teaches 
us  to  confider  this  as  a  thing  quite  different  from  God'a 
determining  to  fend  his  Son  into  the  world  to  fave  fmners. 
It  feemsto  be  a  matter  infilled  on  in  the  flrongell  manner 
in  fcrlpture,  that  the  evil  or  guilt  of  every  creature  is  to  be 
afcribed  to  the  creature,  as  to  its  proper  and  adequate 
caufe  :  at  the  fame  time  it  feems  fully  as  plain  that  what- 
ever connexion  there  may  be  between  one  evil  and  ano- 
liier,  the  choice  of  the  veffels  of  mercy  is  free  and  uncon- 
ditional, and  that  the  rejedion  ot  others  is  imputed  to  the 
foverei^inty  of  God,  Luke  x,  21.  John  xii.  39.  That 
tHe  choice  of  the.  veflcls  of  mercy  is  free  and  fovereign,  ap- 
pears from  the  words  of  fcripture  ;  from  their  univerfal 
Hate— dead  in  trefpaffes  and  fins  ;  from  their  vifible  cha- 
radler,  apd  from  the  means  of  their  recovery^ — 1  mean 
tbe  omnipotence  of  divine  grape. 


LECTURE  XIII. 


I   NOW  proceed  to  the  third  thing  upon  this  fubjeft, 
which  was  to  confider  the  charader,  qualities  and  at^ 
tributes  of  the  decrees  of  God,  as  they  are  given  to  them: 
in  fcripture  in  exprefs  terms,  or  manifeftly  founded  up- 
on fcripture  truths,  and  particularly  upon  fuch  truths  as, 
relate  to  the  decrees.     Of  this  the  chief  are  what  follow, 
(i)  Eternity.     We  have  exprefs  mention  made,  Eph. 
lii.  n.  of  God's  eternal  purpofe  :  and  believers  are  faid  to. 
be  chofen  in   Chrifl  before   the   foundation   of  the  world. 
The  laft  expreffion  is  of  the  fame  import  with  the  lirll: ; 
for  whatever  is  before  the  beginning  of  time  is  to  be  con- 
fidered  as  eternal.     This  indeed  is  effential  to  the  divine 
purpofe,   infeparable  from  the  very  meaning  of  the  word 
decree  ;  and  if  J  am  not  miflaken  one  of  the  chief  things 
we  are  to  be  taught  by  it  is,  that  whatfoever  comes  to  pafs. 
in  revolving  years,  is  not  loofe,but  was  fixed  in  the  divine 


Lectures  on  Dhltihy,  &3 

mind  before  time  itfelf  began.  It  is  exceeding  difEcuIt 
however,  at  once  to  reflrain  an  improper  curiofity,  and 
to  ipeak  with  precilion  on  the  fubjecl,  and  with  lafety. — >.• 
Some  have  railed  a  queflion,  whether  there  is  not  a  necef- 
fity  of  fuppofing  the  exillence  and  the  nature  of  God,  as 
previous  to  his  decrees.  To  which  it  is  coinmonly  faid, 
that  there  is  a  priority  of  order,  though  not  of  time  ;  a  pri- 
ority like  that  of  the  caufe  to  its  infeparable  effe<Sl ;  as  the 
fun  is  the  caufe  of  light,  yet  the  creation  of  the  fun  would 
not  be  before  or  antecedent  to  the  light ;  they  are  infeparable 
and  neceffarily  exiftent.  One  would  think  there  was  no- 
thing amifs  in  this  way  of  fpeaking,  or  of  faying  in  con- 
fequence  of  it,  that  the  decrees  are  to  God's  nature  as  ah 
eternal  effect  to  an  eternal  caufe  ;  and  yet  I  am  afraid 
there  is  here  what  we  find  in  many  fubjeds  of  theology, 
a  mixture  of  repugnant  ideas  intricate  and  difficult,  eter- 
nity, and  time — beginning,  and  no  beginning.  When 
we  fpeakof  an  effefl  of  a  caufe,  we  cannot  do  otherwife 
than  think  of  fomething  produced,  fome  alteration,  qr 
fomethingthat  was  not  before.  This  is  the  cafe  with  all 
the  fimilitudes  brought  to  illuftrate  it,  as  the  cremation  of 
the  fun  and  the  co  exiflence  of  light,  or  another  made  ufe 
of  by  fome  of  the  refined  Arians,  who  meant  to  fay  the 
Son  is  produced  by  the  Father,  as  an  eternal  efFedt  of  ah 
eternal  caufe — as  the  print  of  a  man's  foot  in  the  fand  is 
caufed  by  his  fetting  down  his  foot,  but  not  poflerior  in 
point  of  time.  But  all  this  is  truly  abfurd  when  fpeaking 
of  God,  becaufe  it  includes  fome  definite  idea  of  what 
might  and  did  begin  to  take  place.  I  fliould  be  apt  to 
think  that  one  of  the  chief  reafons  why  any  thing  is  re- 
vealed to  us  concerning  the  decrees  of  God,  is  to  give  us 
an  awful  impreflion  of  his  infinite  majefiy,  his  fupreme 
dominion,  and  the  abfolute  dependance  of  every  creature 
upon  him  ;  fo  that  it  is  enough  for  us  to  fay,  that  his  pur- 
pofe  is  before  all  worlds,  antecedent  to  all  time  or  the  idea 
of  fucceffion,  being  indeed  entirely  infeparable  from  the 
idea  of  his  exifience. 

(2.)  The  next  thing  to  be  cahfidered  is  (tie liberty  of 
God  in  his  decrees.  They  are  according  to  the  council 
of  his  own  will.     Almolt  all  the  fyftems  id^y  that  God  did 


84  Lectures  on  Divinity. 

mod  -wifely,  moR  juftly,  and  mod  freely,  decree  whatfo- 
ever  comes  to  pafs. 

The  chief  objedtion  to  this  arifes  from  what  ufed  to  be 
called  many  years  ago  the  Beltidian  fcheme,  of  which, 
^vhatever  chance  traces  may  be  feen  in  former  authors, 
Le  bnitz  is  the  proper  author.  OF  this  fcheme  it  is  the 
leading  part,  or  rather  the  foundation  of  the  whole,  to  fay 
that  God,  infinitely  wife  and  good,  mud  neceffarily  choofc 
the  beft  in  every  thing.  That  therefore  of  all  poflible  fyf- 
temsthis  which  he  has  chofen,  becaufe  it  has  taken  place, 
niuft  neceflarily  be  the  beft,  and  he  could  not  choofe  any 
other  ;  fo  that  from  the  unalterable  re6litude  of  his  nature, 
he  is  as  invariably  determined  by  his  necefiity  as  any  of  his 
creatures.  This  boafted  demonftration  would  be  defenfible 
perhaps,  were  it  not  that  its  very  foundations  are  good  for 
nothing.  Its  ideas  are  not  applicable  to  the  divine  Being; 
better  and  bed  are  definite  terms,  and  a6lual  comparifons. 
We  fay  a  thing  is  better  when  it  is  preferable  to  fome 
others,  and  beft  when  it  is  a  thing  abfolutely  preferable  to 
all  others.  Now  with  what  propriety  can  it  be  faid  that 
in  the  plans  that  were  poflible  to  infinite  wifdom  and  pow- 
er there  is  one  bed.  Have  we  comprehenfion  fudicient  to 
fee  this,  and  therefore  to  fay  it  ?  It  feems  to  me  that  a  de- 
mondration  might  be  given  to  the  contrary.  The  whole 
fydem  of  creation  is  either  finite  and  temporal,  or  infinite 
and  eternal,  If  it  be  finite,  it  feems  abfurd  to  fay  that  it 
would  not  be  made  better  by  being  made  larger  and  fimilar; 
and  if  it  was  not  from  eternity  it  might  have  been  made 
many  thoufands  of  years  fooner.  If  on  the  contrary  it  be 
Infinite  and  eternal,  the  poflible  combinations  of  an  infi- 
nite fydem  are  truly  infinite,  and  there  cannot  be  a  beft. 
The  patrons  of  this  fcheme  w-hen  preded  with  thefe  diffi- 
culties have  recourfe  to  what  they  fhould  have  begun  with, 
the  incomprehenfiblenefs  of  time  and  fpace,  and  fay  that 
we  cannot  apply  any  of  the  ideas  of  fooner  or  later  to 
eternity,  or  larger  or  lefTer  to  fpace.  The  impoflibility  of 
uniting  infinite  to  definite  qualities  fhould  have  prevent- 
ed them  from  faying  that  of  all  poflible  fydems  infinite 
wifdom  mud  choofe  the  bed  ;  bat  when  we  foeak  of  time 


Lectures  on  Dmnity\  85 

and  rpace,  nothing  is  more  clear,  than  that  if  at  any  time 
a  thing  has  exifted  ten  years,  I  can  fuppofe  that  it  exifted 
twenty  years ;  and  that  if  any  thing  be  of  finite  extent,  I 
can  fuppofe  it  enlarged  as  well  as  diminifhed.  So  great  is 
the  obftinacy  of  people  in  adhering  to  their  fyftems,  that 
Dr.  Clark  reduces  an  antagonift  to  the  abfurdity  of  affirm- 
ing, that  though  the  unlverfe  were  moved  ten  millions  uf 
leagues  in  any  direction,  it  would  flili  be  in  the  fame 
place  ;  and  another  writer  of  fome  note,  fays,  either  that 
the  thing  is  impoflible  that  the  world  could  have  been  cre- 
ated fooner  than  it  was,  or  that  if  it  had  been  created  5000 
years  fooner,  yet  it  would  have  been  created  at  the  fame 
time.  Befides  this  fcheme  feems  to  me  to  labor  under  two 
great  and  obvious  difficulties — that  the  infinite  God  Ihould 
fet  limits  to  himfelf,  by  the  production  of  a  created  fyftem 
— It  brings  creation  a  great  deal  too  near  the  Creator  to 
fay  it  is  the  alternative  of  Omnipotence.  The  other  diffi- 
culty is,  that  it  feems  to  make  fomething  which  1  do  not 
know  how  to  exprefs  otherwife,  than  by  the  ancient  ftoical 
fate,  antecedent  and  fuperior  even  to  God  himfelf;  I 
would  therefore  think  it  bed  to  fay,  with  the  current  of 
orthodox  divines,  that  God  was  perfectly  free  in  his  pur- 
pofe  and  providence,  and  that  there  is  no  reafon  to  ht 
fought  for  the  one  or  the  other  beyond  himfelf. 

Let  us'confider  the  wifdom  and  fovereignty  of  his  de- 
crees ;  I  put  thefe  together,  not  that  they  are  the  fame,  but 
that  they  feem,  though  not  oppofite,  to  limit  each  other  in 
their  exercife,  and  the  one  of  which  is  often  to  be  refolved 
into  the  other.  Wifdom  is  afcribed  to  the  decrees  of  God ; 
or  rather,  wifdom  indeed  is  particularly  afcribed  to  God 
himfelf,  as  one  of  his  eifential  perfedtions,  and  therefore 
by  neceflary  confequence,  it  muft  belong  to  his  provi- 
dence in  time,  and  his  purpofes  from  eternity. — The 
meaning  of  this  as  far  as  we  can  conceive,  when  u fed  by 
us,  is,  that  the  bed  and  nobleft  ends  are  defigned,  and  the 
bell  and  molt  fuitable  means  in  accomplilhing  thefe  ends. 
And  indeed  all  the  wifdom  that  appears  in  the  works  and 
ways  of  God  when  carried  into  effect,  mull  be  fuppofed 
in  the  original  purpofe.  But  how  fhall  we  join  the  fove- 
reignty  with  this  ?  Sovereignty  feems  to  refolve  the  whole 


.86  Lectures  on  Dhhuty.. 

into  mere  will,  and  therefore  to  ftand  oppofed  to  the  wif. 
dom  of  the  proceeding ;  accordingly  there  are  fome  who 
in  fpeaking  of  the  decrees,  reil  them  entirely  and  totally  on 
the  fovereignty  of  God,  and  fay  that  not  only  the  reafons 
are  not  made  known  and  unfearchable  to  us,  but  that  there 
is  no  reafon  at  all  of  the  preference  of  one  thing  to  another, 
but  the  divine  will.  There  have  been  fome  writers  wh^ 
have  founded  the  very  nature  of  virtue  and  vice  upon  the 
divine  wilL  Thofe  who  think  otherwife,  ufually  fay,  it  is 
making  the  decrees  not  abfolute  only,  but  arbitrary-^not 
only  unfearchable,  but  unreafonable :  and  indeed  the  foun- 
ding every  thing  upon  mere  will,  feems  to  take  away  the 
moral  charader  of  the  Deity,  and  to  leave  us  no  meaning 
when  we  fay  God  is  infinitely  wife  and  holy,  juft  and  good. 
I  am  however  mclined  to  think  that  thofe  who  have  gone 
the  furtheft  upon  the  fovereignty  of  God,  only  meant  that 
we  could  not,  or  ought  not,  to  dive  into  tfee  reafoii  of  the 
Divine  Providence,  that  his  will  ought  to  bound  all  out 
enquiries,  and  be  a  full  and  fatisfattory  anfwer  \<>  all  our 
difficulties ;  and  if  it  be  taken  iii  this  Way^  it  will  not  be 
€afy  to  overthrow  it. 

If  we  look  into  the  fcripturd  do€trifte  i3J)<)n  this  fubje^, 
we  fliall,  if  I  millake  not,  fee  b©lh  th^  wifdot^  and  Sove- 
reignty of  God  alTerted  in  the  (Irongell  terms,  united  to- 
^jeiner  and  founded  upon  one  another,  Job  ix.  4,  ''  he  is 
**  wife  in  heart,"— he  ii  faid  to  be  God  only  wife.  Rev.  xvi. 
27.  I  Tim.  i.  15.  Jude25.  Eph.iii.  10.  and  Rom.  xi. 
38.  fpeaking  ex  pre  fsly  of  the  decrees,  ''  O  the  depth,"  &c. 
at  the  fame  time,  the  fovereignty  of  God  is  alTerted,  and 
events refolved  into  it,  Luke  x.  2i.  "  In  that  hour  JcfuS 
**  rejoiced  in  fpirit,"  &c.  I  would  here  call  your  attention 
to  two  pafiages,  very  remarkable  ;  one  in  the  Old  Telia- 
tnent,  the  other  in  the  New.  The  book  of  Job  it  is  agreed 
by  interpreters,  was  compofed  exprefsly  upon  the  diffi- 
culty of  Providence,  arifmg  from  the  afflidlons  of  good 
men,  and  the  profperity  or  the  wicked  ;  but  in  that  book, 
after  the  reafoning  of  Job  and  his  friends,  when  God  him- 
felt'  is  brought  in  fpeaking  out  of  the  v/hirlwind,  in  the 
38th  and  39th  chapters,  he  fays  not  one  v;brd,  either  of 
the  wifdom  or  juiVice  of  his  proceedings  ;   but  in  language 


Lectures  on  Dhhiiiy.  87 

infinitely  majeftic,  difplays  and  dwells  upon  the  greatnefs 
of  his  power. — -It  is  true  indeed,  the  beautiful  poetical  dif- 
play  of  the  order  of  creation,  may  be  faid  to  imply  in  it 
wifdom  as  well  as  power  ;  but  if  [q^  all  that  is  there  ad- 
Vxinced,  is  to  illuftrate  the  power  and  wifdom  of  the  Crea- 
tor, and  by  that  means  to  impofe  filence  on  the  rafh  chal- 
lenges of  the  creature. 

The  other  example  is  from  the  New  Teflament,  where 
the  Apoftle,  after  introducing  an  objeftion  againfl  the  di- 
vine purpofe  as  to  the  flate  of  man,  does  not  offer  any 
other  reafon,  but  has  recourfe  to  the  fovereignty  of  God, 
Rom.  vii,  18,  19,  20.  **  Therefore  it  is  not  of  him  that 
"  willeth,"  &c. 

It  will  be  perhaps  hard  or  impoflible  for  you  to  enter 
into  this  at  once,  as  I  confefs  it  was  to  me  in  early  life  ; 
but  I  now  fee  more  of  the  Receffity  of  fubjeding  ourfelves 
to  the  Divine  Sovereignty,  and  making  ufe  of  it  to  re- 
llrain  and  reprefs  our  rafh  and  curious  enquiries.     It  is 
finely  imagined  in  Milton,  that  he  makes  a  part  of  the 
damned  in   hell    to  torment   themfelves   with  unfearch- 
able  queftions  about  fixed  fate,  foreknowledge  abfolute. 
It  is  certain  that  we  cannot  now  fathom  thofe  fubjeds— 
if  we  ever  fhall  to  eternity.     As    I  hinted  formerly,  it 
is  of  confiderable  ufe  to  obferve  the  analogy  there  is  be- 
tween the  courfe  of  nature,  providence  and  grace.    There 
are  a  vaft  number  of  things  in  which  we  muft  needs  re- 
fqlve  the  laft  queilion,  fo  to  fpeak,  into  the  fovereignty  of 
God.    Why  did  God  fee  it  fit  to  people  this  world  fo  ve- 
ry thinly :  Why  does  the  improvement  of  human  arts 
proceed  fo  very  imperfedtly  ?     Why  is  the  chief  bleffing 
that  God  ever  bellowed  yet  unknown  to  a  vafl  number  of 
the  human  race  ?  The  ftate  of  a  favage  tribe  and  of  a  cul- 
tivated fociety,  how  do  they   differ  in  the  fame  climate  ? 
Why  was  fo  great  a  part  of  this  vafl  continent  for  {o  ma- 
ny ages  a  howling  wildernefs — a  dwelling  for  wild  beafis, 
and  a  few  human  creatures  little  lefs  favage  than  they  ?— - 
Why  is  pnq  perfon  born  into  the  world  a  flave,  and  ano- 
ther a  monarch  ?     Even  with  regard  to  morals,  which 
are  the.fource  of  the  higheft  dignity  and  the  highefl  hap- 
pinefs — I  could  fuppofe  one  born  in  a  great,  but  profligate 


88  .  Lectures  on  Dmnity'd 

family,  fupplled  with  all  the  means  of  indulgence,  follcited 
by  the  woril examples,  and  befet  by  interefted  flatterers; 
and  I  could  fuppofe  another  born  of  pious  parents,  with 
the  moll  amiable  example,  the  moft  careful  inftrudion^ 
the  moft  regular  government — why  are  there  {o  vaft  ad- 
vantages given  to  the  one,  and  fo  hard  a  trial  impofed  on 
the  other  ?  mud  we  not  fay,  ''  even  fo  Father,"  &c.  \n 
temporal  and  fpiritual,  natural  and  perfonal  circumftan- 
ces,  there  is  every  where  to  be  feen  much  of  the  fovereign- 
ty  of  God. 

IV.  The  next  character  of  God*s  decrees  is  that  they 
are  juft,  and  that  they  are  holy.  He  is  righteous  in  all 
his  ways,  and  holy  in  all  his  works ;  and  it  is  the  union 
of  rightcoufnefs  and  holinefs  with  the  mofl  unfearchable 
depth  of  wifdom  that  gives  occafion  to  the  adoration,  Rev* 
2:iii.  8.  **  Great  and  marvellous,"  Sec.  Nothing  can  be 
more  manifefl  than  that  all  the  calamities  which  God  in 
his  Providence  infiids  on  earth,  and  the  future  judgments 
which  he  will  inflidl  on  the  ungodly,  are  reprefented  as 
a6"ts  of  juftice.  The  only  difficulty  or  objeilion  that  lies 
in  the  way  of  this,  arifes  from  the  next  particular,  to  which 
we  will  therefore  proceed,  viz. 

V.  That  the  decrees  of  God  are  fixed,  abfolute  and  un- 
changeable ;  that  which  he  hath  ordained  fliall  certainly 
come  to  pafs,  and  nothing  can -oppofe  it,  fubvert  it,  or  take 
us  place.  Here  then  the  difficulty  arifes  full  upon  us,  how 
fnall  we  reconcile  this  with  the  free  agency  of  the  creature, 
with  the  guilt  of  fin,  or  the  righteoufnefs  of  the  punifliment 
of  fin  ?  yet  this  is  affirmed  by  all  found  divines,  as  in  the 
confeffion  of  faith,  chap.  iii.  fed.  i.  "  God  from  all  eter- 
nity did  by  the  moll  holy  and  wife  counfel  of  his  own 
will  freely  and  unchangeably  ordain  whatever  comes  to 
pafs  ;  yet  fo  as  thereby  neither  is  God  the  author  of  fin, 
nor  is  violence  oft'cred  to  the  will  of  the  creature  ;  nor  is 
the  liberty  or  contingency  of  fecond  caufes  taken  away, 
but  rather  efiablifhed."  This  fubje6l  has  exercifed  the 
reafon  of  men  in  all  ages,  fo  far  as  it  has  been  propofed  to 
them,  but  particularly  that  of  divines.  The  lubjeQ  is 
dark  and  intricate  as  any  body  may  eafily  perceive. 


Lectures  on  Dhlnityi  ^9 

It  Is  remarkable  what  weak  things  foinetimes  men  of 
{itvi[xi  will  lay  upon  Rtch  fubjedts,  when  it  feems  necefi 
fary  to  them  to  fay  fomething  in  favor  of  their  own  hypo- 
thefis.  One  writer  propofes  to  himfelf  to  reconcile  this 
difference,  and  fays,  God  forefees  and  predetermines  ac- 
tions in  diiTereat  ways,  and  each  according  to  its  own 
nature  ;  that  he  forefees  neceflfary  anions  as  necelTary,  free 
adlons  as  U'tQ^  and  contingent  events  as  contin<rent. 
This  is  juft  faying  nothing  at  all,  and  it  had  been  better 
to  have  faid  nothing  than  to  have  faid  it.  Every  body 
knows  that  as  tar  as  thefe  different  kinds  of  adions  a;]d 
events  take  place  in  the  fyftem,  they  are  fo  ordained  of 
God  ;  But  it  behoved  this  author  to  Ihew  how  any  action 
could  be  free,  or  any  event  contingent,  upon  the  fuppofi- 
tion  of  the  Divine  Providence  or  decree. 

Others  have  attempted  to  folve  the  difficulty  by  found- 
ing the  decrees  upon  foreknowledge,  and  this  upon  God's 
diftindt  and  perfed  view  of  every  perfon's  difpolition,  and 
how  men  will  determine  in  every  circumftance  in  which 
they  can  be  placed.     But  this  is  liable  to  two  objedtions 
(i)  that   foreknowledge  makes  no   difference  as  to  de- 
trees,  for  whether  God  confidered  the  thing  as  a  confe* 
quence  of  another  or  not,  if  he  forefaw  the  confequence, 
he  admitted  and  ordained  that  event  as  a  part  of  the  gene- 
ral fyftem.     The  other  objection  is,  that  it  takes  for  grant- 
ed the  fyllem   of  v/hat   is  called  moral  neceffity,  which 
brings  back  the  fame  difficulty  with  re-doubled  force.     It 
is  remarkable  that  the  advocates  for  neceffity  have  adopted 
a  diflindion  made  ufe  of  for  other  purpofes,  and  forced 
it  into  their  fervice  ;  I  mean  moral  and  natural  necelfi- 
ty — they  fay  natural  or  phyllcal  neceffity  takes  away  liber- 
ty, but  moral  neceffity  does  not- — at  the  fame  time  they 
explain  moral  neceffity  fo  as  to  make  it  truly  phyfical  or  na- 
tural. That  is  phyfical  neceffity  which  is  the  invincible  ef* 
fe£lofthe  lav/ of  nature,  and  it  is  neither  lefs  natural  nor 
iefs  unfurmountable  if  it  is  from  the  lav/s  of  fpirit,  than  it 
would  be  if  it  were  from  the  laws  of  matter.     To  fee  how 
jTome  people  are  loll  upon  thefe  fubje<5l3,  you  may  obferve 
that  the  great  argument  that  men  are  determined  by  the 
flrongefl  motives,  is  a  mere  equivocation,  and  what  logici- 
VoL.  IV.  M 


90  Lectures  on  Dhinity. 

ans  cdWpetitio pnncipii.  ItisimpofTible even toprodnce  any 
medium  oi  prooi  that  it  is  the  ilrongell  n»ouve,  exttpt  that 
it  has  prevailed.  It  is  not  the  greatcft  in  itfelf,  nor  does 
it  feein  to  be  in  all  rel'pcds  firongelt  to  the  agent ;  but  you 
fay  it  appears  (Irongelt  in  the  niean  time — why  ?  Becaufe 
you  were  determined  by  it  :  alas  you  promifed  to  prove 
that  I  was  determined  by  the  strongest  motive,  and  you 
have  only  (hown  that  I  had  a  mothe  when  J  adled.  But 
what  has  determined  you  then  ?  can  any  efFciSt  be  without 
a  caufe  ?  I  anfvver — .fuppoOn^  my  feli-determining  power 
to  exifl,  it  is  as  real  a  caufe  of  its  proper  and  dillinguifli- 
ing  effcdl,  as  your  moral  neceffity  ;  fo  that  the  matter 
juil  comes  to  a  Hand,  and  is  but  one  and  the  lame  thing 
on  one  fide  and  on  the  other. 

But  even  fuppofe  the  fyftem  of  nect-ffity  true,  the  dif- 
ficulty of  reconciling  it  with  the  guilt  of  fm,  and  the 
righteoufnefs  of  God's  jiidgnient,  is  as  great  as  upon  any 
fuppofition  whatever.  Others  have  made  ufe  of  a  metaphi- 
fical  argument  to  reconcile  foreknowledge  with  liberty. 
They  fay,  when  any  thing  is  done  in  time,  it  only  fhews 
the  futurity  of  the  acllon,  as  the  fchooi  men  fay.  It  was 
a  true  propofition  from  all  eternity  that  fuch  a  thing  would 
be  done,  and  eve'f*y  truth  being  the  object  of  the  divine 
knowledge,  God's  foreleeing  it  was  no  more  the  caule  of 
it,  than  a  man's  feeing  another  do  a  thing  at  a  diflance  is 
the  caufe  of  its  being  doue.  But  even  this  does  not  fatiC- 
fy  the  mind,  as  the  difficulty  arifes  from  the  certainty  of 
the  event  itfelf,  as  being  mconfdtent  with  the  freedom  of 
the  agent,  not  the  way  in  which  it  comes  to  be  known. 

It  deferves  particular  notice  that  feveral  able  writers 
have  fliewn,  that  with  refpedl  to  the  molt  difficult  part  of 
the  decrees  of  God,  all  the  feveral  leds  of  Chriiiians  at 
bottom  fay  the  fame  thing,  except  that  clais  of  Socinians 
who  deny  the  omniicience  and  fortknowledge  of  Goil  alto- 
gether, and  they  are  fo  diretlly  oppofite  to  the  letter  of 
fcripture  that  they  deferve  no  regard. — I'he  Arminians 
fav,  that  God  has  decreed  that  all  that  he  forelaw  would 
believe  and  repent,  (liould  be  faved — for  which  purpofe 
all  have  fuflicicnt  grace  given  them.  But  could  not  om- 
nipotence hstve  given  them  eficdlual  grace  to  overcome 


Lectures  on  Dmnity,  gt 

their  obflinacy  ?  Yes  without  doubt ;  and  are  there  not 
fo^ne,  tiia^  had  as  oblliiiate  and  protlio^ate  natures  as  thofe 
that  perilh,  overcome  by  Divine  power  ? — Yes  it  is  not 
eaf/to  deny  this — ihat  he  did  not  gjive  the  effcdbial  grace 
to  Ibine,  arid  .rave  it  to  others.  So  that  they  mud  at  laft 
fay,  *'  even  lb  F.uher,"   &c. 

«t  is  -nore  eufy  to  fhew  that  the  Supralapfarians  and 
Sublapfaricins  are  at  bottom  of  the  fame  principle.  All 
then  have  this  chfficultv  before  them — to  account  for  the 
divitie  purpofe  confidently  with  the  ^uilt  of  fin. 

Biit  I  would  j^o  a  little  fctrther  and  fay  the  difficulty  Ig 
the  lane  in  natunlas  it  is  in  revealed  religion,  and  the 
fa;ne  in  the  courl'e  ol  nature  as  in  both.  The  certainty 
of  evems  makes  as  much  a'Taind  CG(nmon  diligence  in 
the  . iffciirs  of  life,  as  againll  dilii^ence  in  religion.  The 
faies  wnich  the  (loics  of  old  held,  was  called  the  ignava 
ra  iooi  the  ftoics. 

For  my  own  part  I  freely  own,  that  I  could  never  fee 
anv  thing  fatisfddory  in  the  attempts  of  divines  or  Meta- 
phyficians  to  reconcile  thefe  two  things;  but  it  does  not 
appear  diffii:ult  to  me  to  believe  precifely  in  the  form  of 
our  conleffion  of  faith — to  believe  both  the  certainty  of 
God's  purpofe  and  the  free  agency  of  the  creature.  Nor 
does  mv  being  unable  to  explain  thefe  doctrines  form  an 
obje6\ioa  againll  one  or  the  other. 


LECTURE   XIV, 


OF  the  covenant  of  works  and  the  fall  of  man-— This 
feems  to  be  the  next  thing  in  order. — That  I  may 
treat  of  it  as  concifely  as  poiEble,  1  will  make  the  follow- 
ing obfervations. 

I.  It  is  judly  and  properly  by  divines,  confidered  as 
a  covenant.  I'he  word  covenant  is  not  indeed  made  ufe 
of  by  Mofes  in  giving  the  hillory  of  the  fall,  for  which  ma» 


pe  Lectures  on  Dmnhy» 

ny  reafons  may  be  afllgned.  The  fcripture  does  not  lb 
much  limit  the  phrafe  as  fix  the  thing  itfelf,  which  we  now 
exprefshv  it.  The  word  covenant  is  ufed  with  latitude 
in  fcripture.  Thus,  Jer.  xxxiii.  20,  25.  *'  Thus  faith  the 
^'  Lord  if  \ou  can  break  my  covenant.'*  Jkc,  It  may  be 
obfeixed  that  there  mull:  of  neceflity  be  fome  impropriety 
in  callinj^any  tranfadlon  between  God  and  m^n  a  cove- 
nant, becaufe  it  mult  differ  conliderably  from  an  engage- 
ment o  perfons  equal  and  free.  But  as  far  as  there  can 
b-  a  covenant  relation  between  God  and  man,  it  evident- 
1)  took  place  here.  The  giving  a  ipecial  command,  with 
a  threatening  annexed,  does  evidently  imply  in  it  fuch  a 
covenant. 

2.  It  feems  juft  and  proper  to  fuppofe  that  merely  ab- 
Haining  from  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil  was 
not  the  only  duty  prefcribed  and  demanded  by  God,  but 
that  the  demand  extended  to  univerfal  obedience. 

The  Jewifh  Robbies  fiiy,  that  God  gave  Adam  fix  pre- 
cepts ;  (i)  to  worfhip  God ;  (2)  to  do  judice;  (3)  not 
to  filed  human  blood;  (4)  not  to  make  ufe  of  idols  or 
images  ;  (5)  not  to  commit  rapine  and  fraud;  (6)  to  a- 
void  inceft.     But  all  this  is  without  the  leaft  proof. 

3.  We  may  confider  the  choice  of  the  command  for 
trial,  not  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  eviL 
This  may  give  occafion  to  many  conjedures,  and  like- 
wife  to  many  folid  remarks.  It  is  conjectured  by  many 
that  the  tree  had  in  it  a  noifome  quality  that  made  the 
body  liable  to  corruption,  as  God  often  orders  his  com. 
mands  fo  that  obedience  to  them  is  of  itfelf  happinefs, 
find  difobedience  is  mifery.  If  we  fuppofe  the  eating 
tl.is  tree  had  nothing  in  itfelf  either  good  or  evil,  and  it 
is  afked  why  God  thought  fit  to  fufpend  the  fate  of  the  hur 
man  race  on  a  pofitive  precept  ? — It  may  be  anfwered, 
iirfi  as  an  adof  fovereienty,  to  which  we  have  no  right  to 
objedl.  (2)  It  might  alfo  be  more  proper  for  the  trial  of 
obedience,  as  the  mere  authority  of  God  would  be  the 
fan6lion.  (3)  It  was  a  jiifl:  and  natural  acknowledgment 
that  the  creature  held  all  created  comforts  of  God.  (4} 
There  were  then  fo  few  relations  that  there  could  be  UQ 
trial  upon  the  precepts  of  the  fecond  table. 


Lectures  on  Dmnity,  93 

4.  It  ap-pears  that  Adam,  in  the  covenants  of  works, 
was  to  be  conlidered  as  the  federal  head  and  r^prefenta. 
tive  of  the  human  race,  as  he  was  then  the  natural  Iiead. 
By  the  manner  in  which  the  human  race  was  to  defcend 
from  hirn,  the  punifliment  inflicted  upon  him,  mud  of 
courfe  defcend  to  them.  If  we  fuppofe  that  God  mi^Jit 
jullly  create  an  order  of  beings  like  to  what  man  is,  to 
defcend  from  one  another,  and  to  propagate  the  nature 
which  he  had,  the  matter  could  not  have  fallen  out  other- 
wife,  in  cafe  of  fin,  than  it  did. 

5.  Let  us  confider  the  import  of  the  threatening.  In 
"  the  day  thou  eatell  thereof,  thou  flialt  furely  die  :"  That 
temporal  death  was  to  be  underfiood  by  it,  and  all  the 
fufFerings  preparatory  to  death,  mult  necelTarily  be  ad- 
mitted. That  it  fuppofes  alfo  fpiritual  death,  or  the  fe« 
paration  of  the  foul  from  God,  is  a  neceflfiiry  cirenm- 
Hance  in  the  whole  of  this  matter.  The  exprelfion,  Gtn. 
iii.  22,  ''  Behold  the  man  is  become  like  one  of  us,'*  &c. 
is  by  no  means  to  be  taken  as  if  God  was  afraid  they  would 
eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  thereby  become  immortal.  The 
greateft  part  of  interpreters  confider  thefe  words  as  fpo- 
ken  by  way  of  derifion,  and  as  it  is  alfo  probable  that  this 
tree  had  much  in  it  of  a  health- giving  quality,  it  was  not 
proper  that  men  devoted  to  fo  many  lufferings  fliould  be 
permitted  the  ufe  of  it.  And  as  a  facrament,  it  was  to  be 
refufed  to  thofe  who  had  broken  the  covenant,  and  were 
therefore  unworthy  of  the  fign. 

Of  the  Fall 

Before  we  fpeak  farther  of  the  fall  of  man  by  the  breach 
of  the  Covenant  of  works,  it  may  be  expedted  Uiat  we 
fhould  confider  a  little  the  introdu6Vion  of  fm  <.'r  moral  evil 
in  general.  Why  did<}od  permit  {\x\  and  the  train  of 
evils  that  follow  it  ?  Tiiis  has  been  a  queJtion  that. has 
exercifed  enquirers  from  the  beginning,  and  efpecialiy 
under  the  goipel.  I  have  treated  a  little  upon  this  in  ib.e 
difcoLirfe  upon  the  decrees,  and  fli.ill  Oiily  further  drop  a 
few  hints.  Some  fay  that  it  was  a  neceffary  confeqaen(\- 
pf  creating  free  agentsj  but  thers  are  many  obj.diOiis  lu 


^4  Lectures  on  Dhinhy, 

this.  Tt  is  neither  certain  that  it  was  a  neceflary  confe- 
quence,  nor  that  there  is  any  i'uch  worth  in  the  free  agency 
cf  the  creature  as  to  deferve  to  be  preferved,  at  the  price 
of  this  evil  and  its  train.  Some  have  laid  that  the  evil,  na- 
tirai  aiid  moral,  was  necefTary  to  the  perfection  of  the 
whole,  as  the  ihade  of  a  pidure  to  the  beauty  of  the  whole 
p'ece.  This  is  the  fubdance  or'  the  Bcltillian  fcheine,  the 
foundajon  of  which  I  mentioned  before  with  the  objeftions 
aaaind  it.  I  ihall  now  only  add,  that  upon  this  fyftein  it 
is  neceflary  to  fuppofe  that  all  the  good,  natural  and  moral, 
that  the  univerfe  could  poUibly  admit,  is  to  be  found  in  it. 
This  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  believe  from  appearances> 
and  it  is  impoflible  to  fupport  it  without  laying  God  him- 
fclf  under  the  chains  of  neceffity.  It  is  certainly  infinite- 
ly preferable  to  take  fcripture  truths  juil  as  they  Hand,  that 
God  is  infinitely  holy — has  tellified  his  abhorrence  to  fin 
— and  therefore  cannot  be  the  author  of  it — that  he  has 
notwirhilanding  molt  juflly  permitted  it — and  that  he  will 
illuflrate  his  own  glory  by  it — but  that  the  difpofition  of 
his  providence  and  grace  is  to  us  unfearchable. 

There  is  mention  made  in  fcripture  of  the  angels  that 
fmned ;  from  which  it  appears  that  fin  was  introduced 
among  them.  The  fcriptures  have  not  informed  us  of 
many  circumflances  on  this  fiibjedt,  which  as  ufual,  men 
of  fertile  inventions  have  endeavored  to  fupply  by  con- 
jectures, or  to  determine  from  very  ilender  evidence. 
Some  have  even  prefumed  to  determine  the  number  of 
the  fallen  anj^els,  or  at  leall  their  proportion  to  thole  that 
Aood,  from  Kev.  xii.  3,  4.  '■'-  And  there  appeared  another 
*'  wonder  ix}  heaven,  and  behold  a  great  red  Dragon  ha- 
"  ving  feven  heads  and  ten  horns,  and  feven  crowns  upon 
*^  his  heads,  and  his  tail  drew  the  third  part  of  the  liars  of 
*'  heaven,  and  did  caft  them  to  the  earth."  But  this  is 
a  mifappiication  of  the  pafl'age  in  that  prophecy,  which  be- 
longs to  the  vifible  church  on  earth.  Some  have  faid 
the  fin  of  the  angels  was  envy — fosiie  impiety  or  luff; 
but  the  greater  number  pride  ;  and  this  lad  feems  to 
have  the  mod  truth  in  it,  not  becaufe  we  know  any  thing 
circumdances  of  their  rebellion,  but  be- 


Lectures  on  Dhlnity.  95 

caufe  pride  or  feU-fufFiclency  feems  to  be  the  eflence  or 
ruling  part  of  all  our  fin. 

We  do  not  know  the  time  of  their  fall,  nor  indeed  with 
much  certainty  the  time  of  their  creation.  We  only  know 
that  their  fall  was  before  that  of  man  -^andthat  God  paf- 
fed  by  the  anizels  that  finned — and  that  they  are  referved 
in  chains  under  darknels  to  the  judgment  of  the  great 
day. 

Some  have  exercifed  themfelves  in  conje6:uring  how 
long  our  firft  parents  continued  in  the  ftate  of  innocence. 
Some  fuppofe  they  fell  upon  the  firll  day  of  their  creatioa 
— others  that  they  continued  in  innocence  fome  years. 
There  is  nothing  faid  in  the  book  of  Genefis  that  can 
determine  this  point  with  certainty,  nor  is  it  of  much  mo- 
ment, could  it  be  determined. 

Eve  is  faid  to  have  been  tempted  be  the  ferpent,  and  by 
many  j)alHiges  of  fcripture  it  is  put  beyond  a  doubt,  that  it 
was  by  the  Devil  or  Prince  of  the  fallen  angels.  It  ought 
not  to  be  underflood  allegorically.  Probably  he  made  ufe  of 
this  creature  as  the  fitted  form  in  which  he  could  appear^ 
Many  have  fuppofed  it  was  one  of  the  bright  fiery  ferpents 
that  are  feen  in  Arabia  (and  fome  parts  of  the  eafl)  and  that 
he  appeared  to  Eve  as  an  angel,  which  would  the  more  ea- 
fily  account  for  the  deception.  If  this  opinion  is  embraced, 
we  mull  however  fuppofe  that  the  ferpent  was  more  glo- 
rious before  the  fall  than  fince,  in  his  appearance  ;  and  in- 
deed it  is  probable  thut  moil,  or  all  the  creatures,  were 
more  excellent  in  their  kind,  before  than  after  the -fall. 

But  what  we  are  chiefly  to  attend  to,  is  the  confequence 
of  the  fall  upon  Adam  and  his  poflerity.  As  to  them- 
felves, they  loft  a  great  part  of  the  image  of  God,  in  which 
they  were  created.  They  became  the  objed:s  of  divine 
difpleafure  ;  their  eyes  were  opened,  and  thev  felt  fliame 
for  their  nakednefs  ;  were  ilruck  with  the  alarm  of  an  evil 
confcience  ;  were  driven  from  the  terreftrial  paradife  ; 
expofed  to  many  fuffcrings  which  were  to  end  in  death  ; 
and  obliged  to  labor  on  the  accurfed  ground.  Some  few 
of  ihe  ancients  have  believed  that  our  firft  parents  perifhed 
eternally ;  but  that  has  been  far  from  the  general  belief, 


^6  Lectures  on  Dmnitf, 

which  huS  been,  that  as  the  flrft  promife  was  made  i6 
them  they  underdood  and  improved  it,  and  received  cdn- 
folation  by  it. 

As  to  the  effect  of  Adam's  fm  upon  his  poflerity,  it 
feents  very  plain  that  the  ilate  of  corruption  and  wicked-^ 
ncfs  which  men  are  now  in,  is  Hated  in  fcripture  as  being 
the  eal'6l  and  puniOiment  of  Adam's  lirft  fin,  upon  which 
it  will  be  fufFicient  to  read  the  epiflle  to  the  Romans^ 
chapter  5,  frdm  the  12th  verfe  and  onward.  Atid  indeed 
when  we  confider  the  univerfdlity  of  the  elTcdls  of  the  fall, 
it  is  not  to  be  accounted  for  any  other  Way,  than  front 
Adam's  being  the  federal  head  of  the  human  race,  and 
they  finning  in  him,  and  falling  with  him,  in  his  firft 
tranfgreflion. 

The  firlt  and  chief  of  thefe  efFeiSls  is  the  corruption  of 
our  nature — that  man  now  comes  into  the  world  in  a  ilate 
of  impurity  or  moral  defilement*  We  will  firft  confider 
the  fcripture  proof  ol  original  fin,  and  then  lay,  as  far  as 
we  have  warrant  from  fcripture,  what  it  is  and  the  man* 
ner  of  its  communication, 

I  lliall  firll  mention  the  following  paflageS  of  fcripture^ 
Gen.  V.  6,  and  21. ''  And  God  favv,"  &c.  Pl'alm  xxxvii.  54 
''  Behold  I  was  fiiapen  in  iniquity,"  &c,  John  iii.  6* 
•'  That  which  is  born,"  &c.  Rom.  viii.  7,  8.  Eph.  ii.  3* 
''  And  were  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  even  as 
"  others." 

After  confidering  the  above  paflages,  let  me  ob- 
ferve  to  you  that  in  this,  as  in  moll  fubje6ts,  the  general 
r.rain  of  the  fcripture  is  fully  as  convincing  as  particular 
pafTages.  The  univerfal  command  of  making  atone* 
ment — Children  receiving  the  badge  of  the  covenant — ^ 
the  tenor  of  the  promifes,  "  I  will  take  away  the  fiony 
heart  out  of  your  fielli" — the  force  of  the  Pfalmiil  David's 
prayer,  *'  create  within  me  a  clean  heart,"-^^and  many 
others  of  the  fame  import  ;  but  above  all  this  do^rine  of 
our  Saviour' John  iii.  3.  "  Verily,  verily,"  £ic.  To  .all 
this  you  may  add  experience.  The  univerfal  and  early 
corruption  of  men  in  pradice  is  a  Handing  evidence  of  the 
impurity  of  their  original. 


tvcturcs  on  Dhimty*  97 

What  is  the  hiftory  of  the  world  but  the  hiRory  of  hu- 
man guilt  ?  and  do  not  children  from  the  iirft  dawn  of 
reafon  fhow  that  they  are  wife  to  do  evil ;  but  to  do  good 
they  have  no  knowledge  ! 

As  to  the  nature  of  original  iln  and  the  tranfmiffion  of 
it,  I  think  a  few  words  may  fuffice^  We  certainly  difco- 
ver  in  mankind,  not  only  a  difpofition  without  reftraint 
to  commit  errors  ofagrofs  nature,  but  in  general  an  at- 
tachment to,  and  love  of  the  creature,  more  than  the  Gre« 
ator.  It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  confider  the  quef- 
tion,  whether  the  whole  nature  is  corrupt,  fo  that  what- 
ever we  do  is  fm.  It  will  be,  I  think  very  eafy  to  fettle 
this  point,  if  the  meaning  of  the  enquiry  be  clearly  under- 
flood.  If  the  fuprerne  defire  of.  the  mind,  and  leading 
principle  be  wrong,  then  every  thing  that  is  diretSled  by  it 
mud  have  the  nature  of  fin. 

Thofe  who  reprefent  it  in  this  light,  do  by  no  means 
aflert  that  every  adt  in  every  part  of  it  is  eyil.  Such  as 
to  fpeak  truth— to  do  juftice— to  fliew  mercy,  which  cer- 
tainly an  linhoiy  man  may  do.  Nay  I  fuppofe  even  the 
greatefl:  finner  that  ever  was,  fpeaks  twenty  true  words, 
where  he  fpeaks  one  that  is  falfe.  But  v^hat  is  meant  to 
be  aflerted  is,  that  every  adtion  of  an  unregenerate  man 
is  eflentially  defe£live  as  a  moral  duty,  becaufe  flowing 
from  a  wrong  priticiplej  arid  tending  to  a  wrong  end,— 
Let  us  fuppofe  a  man  inflexibly  fober  and  temperate  from 
a  concern  for  his  health,  or  a  covetous  defire  of  fparing  his 
money^  and  one  fhould  fay  there  is  no  true  virtue  in  thi^. 
It  would  be  ridiculous  to  fay  that  we  affirmed  that  fobrie- 
ty  was  not  a  virtue,  or  that  the  perfon  concerned  finned 
in  being  fober.  This  will  appear  by  expreffing  the  fen- 
timent  in  another  form.  Every  body  would  underftand 
and  approve  it,  if  we  fliould  fay,  there  is  tio  virtue  at  all 
in  that  mifer  who  fiarves  his  belly,  or  clothes  himfelf  with 
rags,  only  to  fill  his  purfe. 

As  to  the  tranfmiliion  of  original  fin,  the  queflion  is 
to  be  fure  difficulty  and  we  ought  to  be  referved  upon  the 
fubjedt.  St.  Augulline  faid  it  was  of  more  conl'equence 
to  know  how  we  are  delivered  from  fin  by  Chrift,  than 

Vol.  IV.  N 


98  Lectures  on  Dmnltyl 

how  we  derive  it  f  om  Adam.  Yet  we  fhall  fay  a  few 
words  on  this  topic.  It  Teems  to  be  af^reed  by  the  ,c[reat- 
efl  part  that  the  foul  is  not  derived  from  onr  parents  by 
natural  generation,  and  yet  it  feems  not  reafonable  to  fup- 
pofe  that  the  foul  is  created  impure.  Therefore  it  fhould 
follow  that  a  general  corruption  is  communicated  by  the 
body,  and  that  there  is  fo  clofe  a  union  between  the  foul 
and  body  that  the  impreffions  conveyed  to  us  through  the 
bodily  orjzans,  do  tend  to  attach  the  affeflions  of  the  foul 
to  thini^^s  earthly  and  fenfual.  If  it  fliould  be  faid,  that 
the  foul,  on  this  fuppofition,  mufl  be  united  to  the  body  as 
an  ad  of  punifliment  or  feverity  ;  I  would  anfwer,  that 
the  foul  is  united  to  the  body  in  confequence  of  an  acl  of 
government,  by  which  the  Creator  decreed,  that  men 
Ihould  be  propagated  bv  way  of  natural  generation.  And 
many  have  iuppoled  that  the  fouls  of  all  men  that  ever 
Ihall  be,  were  created  at  the  beginning  of  the  world,  and 
gradually  came  to  the  exercife  of  their  powers,  as  the  bo- 
dies came  into  exillence,  to  which  they  belong. 


LECTURE   XV. 


Of  Sin  in  general  and  its  demerit ;  and  of  actual  sin^ 
and  its  several  divisions. 


OF  fin  in  general,  and  moral  evil,  we  may  obferve, 
that  the  fcripture  uniformly  reprefents  it  to  us  in 
the  molt  odious  light.  Of  God  it  is  faid,  '»he  is  of  purer 
eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity."  It  is  faid  to  be  that  which 
his  foul  hates.  To  grieve  him — to  diflionor  him — and  to 
provoke  his  wrath.  And  though  we  mud  exclude  from 
our  minds,  every  thing,  in  thefe  frequent  expreffions, 
that  belong  to  human  paflions  or  weaknefs,  the  juft  and 


Lectures  on  Dmnity,  99 

legitimate  inference  to  be  drawn  from  it  is,  the  great  and 
unfpeakable  evil  of  fm. 

As  the  evil  of  fin  appears  from  every  pap;e  of  the  facred 
oracles ;  fo  it  alfo  appears  in  the  cleareli  manner  from 
its  efiedls,  and  the  mifery  that  follows  it.  All  natural  t 
evils  are  the  fruits  of  fm — all  the  fuffcrin^s  in  the  valley 
of  terror  flioot  from  it.  And  if  we  lay  down  the  ric^hto 
oufnefs  of  Providence  as  a  principle.  Dr.  Butler  has  Ihc-wn 
in  his  analogy,  that  the  punifhment,  and  therelore  the 
guilt  of  fin  is  very  great — that  fometimes  very  great  and 
lading  fuflferings  are  the  confcquence  of  atls,  one  would 
think  not  the  mofl;  atrocious  Tiie  contagion  of  fin— 
The  rage  of  violent  pailion — And  the  terror  of  confcience 
in  fome  inllanccs,  all  tend  to  prove  the  evil  ol'  fin. 

One  can  fcarcely  have  a  clearer  idea  of  the  evil  of  fin, 
than  by  comparing  the  effects  of  piety  and  virtue,  fo  far 
as  our  own  experience  has  enaoled  us  to  form  an  idea  of 
them,  with  the  effects  of  univerfal  corruption  and  depra- 
vity in  any  fociety. 

Here  perhaps  it  may  be  proper  juft  to  mention  the 

queRion,  whether  it  is  proper  to  fay  there  is  an  infinite 

evil  in  fin  ?     1  would  anfwer  it  thus,  there  is  not  a  fingle 

argument  againfl  it,  only  this,  that  the  actions  done  in 

time  by  a  finite  creature  cannot  have  in  them  an  infinite 

evil ;   but  this  is  not  the  thing  denied  :   for  all  the  fyllems 

with  one  voice  fay,  that  it  is  not  infinite  in  all  refpedts, 

otherwife  all  lins  would  be  equal,  which  indeed  it  is  faid 

that  the  iloics  anciently  have  held.     But  as  far  as  there 

can  be  meaning  to  us  in  the  exprefTion,  it  mud  be  proper 

to  fay  the  evil  of  fm  is  infinite :   not  only  becaufe  when 

we  confider  the  feveral  particulars  that  iliuflrate  the  evil 

of  it,   we  fee  no  end  to  them,   but  becaufe  fm  is  properly 

an  oppofition  to  the  nature,  and  a  tranfgrefLon  of  the  law 

of  God.     Now  his  nature  being  infinitely  excellent,  and 

the  obligation  on  us  arifing  from  his  infinite  perlettions 

in  himfelf,  his   full  property  in,  and  abfolute  dominion 

over  us  being  inconceivably   great,  I  reckon  that  there 

mufl  be  the  very  fame  judice  and  propriety  in  faying 

thac  there  is  an  infinite  evil  ia  fin,  as  an  infinite  good- 

nefs  in  God. 


f  o.Gf  Lectures  on  Divinityl 

Sin  is  explained  in  general  in  our  Catechifm,  to  be 
a  want  of  comornuiy  unio,  or  tranrgrtflion  of  the  law  of 
Ood.     In  this  definition  of  fin  it  is  divided  into  fins  of 
pmiflion  or  b(  conniiiffion.     The  law  ot  God  is  a  perfect 
rule,  and  every  deviation  from  it  is  fin,  whether  in  the 
matter  oi  the  duty,  or  principle  from  which  it  ought  to 
flow.     An  adion  to  be  truly  good,  muft  be  compleat  in 
all  rcfpetfs.     Hence  fome  oblerve  that  actions  truly  good 
are  equally  good,  becaufe  they  are  perfect,  they  compleat- 
1\   fulfil   the  law,  and  are   performed  at  the  very  time 
when  it  was  required.     But  fins  are   not  equally  evil, 
fome  a^e  very  much  aggravated  in  comparifon  of  others 
fiom  many  circumilances  eafy  to  imagine — Let  one  juft 
confider  the  dillindlion  of  fins,  with  a  remark  or  two  up- 
|Dn  each,     (i.)  Sins  of  omiffion  and  commiflion.     We 
arc  not  to  fuppofe  that  fins  of  omiffion  are  conflantly, 
a"d  by  their  nature,  lefs  heinous  than  fins  of  commilfion. 
There  are  fome  duties  fo  important,  and  the  obligation 
to  which  are  fo  llrong  and  manifeft,  that  the  omiffion  of 
tthem  is  an  offence  as  much  aggravated  as  any  that  can  be 
named,  and  much  more  fo  than  fome  fins  of  commifTion. 
A  total  and  habitual  negledl  of  God's  worlliip,  is  certainly 
nuch  more  criminal  than  fomerafh  injurious  expreflions, 
which    are  fins  of  commifiTion.     (2.)  Sins  voluntary  and 
invo'untary.  Ail  fins  may  be  faid  to  be  in  fome  fenfe  vo- 
luntary, as  lying  properly  in   the  difpofition  of  the  heart 
and  will.     Some  are  of  opinion  that  original  fin  itfelf  i§ 
voluntary,   the    corrupt  bias   from  the  corrupted  frame 
not  taking  away  the  liberty  necefiary  to  moral  aftlon,  and 
the  fin  lying  in  the  confent  given  to  the  felicitation.     It  is 
however  certain  that  all  adlual  fin  lliould  be  confidered  as 
voluntary,  being  fo  in  its  nature.     But  fome  fins  are  faid 
to  be  involuntary,  when  they  are  from   inattention,  and 
fometimes  when  they  are  theeflfefl  of  long  habit,  fo  that 
they  are  done  without  deliberation  and  without  reflection. 
Thefe  are  not  any  way  excufeable  on  that  account;  be- 
caufe that  want  of  attention  is  a  very   great  fin,  and  the 
power  ot  habit  has  been  contra^ed  by  adts  of  wickednefs, 
3.  There   are  fome  fins  of  ignorance,  fome  againfl 
jght — light   in  general  is  an  aggravation  of  fin.      Igno- 
jauce  total  and  invincible,  takes  away  all  fin — But  ig- 


Lectures  on  Dhiniiyl  tot 

iiorance  may  often  be  eafily  prevented ;  and  fometlmes 
ignorance  may  be  fo  circumftanced  as  to  aggravate  fin, 
as  when  it  arUes  from  an  averfion  and  hatred  to  the  light. 
This  is  nearly  connected  with  the  opinion  of  the  inno- 
cence of  error.  There  are  great  numbers  who  will  needs 
have  it,  that  error  in  judgment  cannot  be  criminal,  if  the 
perfon  is  fmcerely  of  that  opinion  which  he  profefles  or 
avows.  This  is  called  by  biihop  Warburton,  the  mafter 
prejudice  of  this  age.  But  it  is  plain  that  error  mufl  juft 
be  confidered  as  ignorance.  To  fay  that  a  perfon  mif- 
takes  his  duty  with  perfe6l  innocence,  is  to  fuppofe  God 
has  not  given  fufficient  means  of  difcovering  and  diflin- 
guifhing  truth  from  falfehood. 

There  are  feveral  other  divifions  of  fins  that  may  be  in- 
troduced  ;  fuch  as  fins  in  thought,  in  word,  and  in  deed. 
Filthinefs  of  the  flefh  and  of  the  fpirit ;  occafional  and 
reigning  fins :  but  as  they  have  little  difficulty  in  them, 
fo  the  explanation  of  them  is  no  way  neceflary  to  the  ex- 
plaining of  evangelical  truth  ;  for  which  reafon  I  will  not 
difcufs  them. 

There  are  fome  maxims  in  efiimating  the  morality  of 
actions,  that,  though  generally  admitted,  carry  fome  diffi- 
culty in  them,  when  applied  univerfally ;  as  for  example 
—that  a  fin  is  the  more  highly  aggravated  when  it  is  con-.- 
mitted  with  little  temptation  ;  and  that  a  virtuous  adlion 
is  more  laudable,  when  it  overcomes  the  greateft  tempta- 
tions. If  we  extend  this  to  inward,  as  well  as  outward 
temptation,  which  is  commonly  done,  it  feen»s  to  take 
much  from  the  merit  of  true  holinefs  in  eminent  faiirs, 
^nd  to  annihilate  altogether  the  excellency  of  the  Diviiie 
holinefs.  The  maxim  mud  therefore,  either  be  a  millal-  , 
or  mifapplied.  One  of  the  contraries  that  liowsfrom  't,  'S 
certainly  true,  viz.  that  an  a6\ion  is  not  praife-wo.  /y.  i  i 
proportion  as  the  contrary  is  vicious.  It  is  one  i»i*  t^  ^ 
higheft  degrees  of  vice  to  be  without  natural  afiVd^ion,  ?  j 
•  to  negledt  the  common  care  of  family  and  relations  :    o 

to  take  care  of  them,  has  but  very  httle  that  's  pra'fe  

thy  in  it.  Whenever  we  find  diffic.ilry  iath'^ic  tl-i 
but  reafoning  them  up  to  the  qucfiioii  o   liber' > 
ceffity,  the  dependance  and  activity  of  the  creaiu:  •• 


to2  \Lectiires  on  Dhinlty^ 

we  fhoulcl  always  flop  lliort,  as  being  above  our  compre- 
he  nil  on. 

There  is  one  thing  very  remarkable,  that  in  the  fcrip- 
tures,  the  fin  of  our  nature  is  always  adduced  as  an  ag- 
gravation of  our  guilt ;  but  loofe  perfons  in  principle  and 
in  practice,  are  apt  to  produce  it  as  an  extenuation  of  the 
actual  tranfgreflion  which  proceeds  from  it.  Nor,  I  be- 
lieve, is  there  any  Way  by  which  men  can  be  taken  off  from 
fuch  views,  but  by  a  thorough  work  of  conviction,  and  the 
power  of  divine  grace.  Therefore  a  miniller  of  great  piety 
and  judgment  once  faid  to  me,  '*  No  man  will  cordially  be- 
lieve the  doclrine  of  falvation  by  grace,  contained  in  our 
Catechifm  and  confeffion,  unlefs  he  is  born  of  God.  I  can 
lliew  by  reafon  that  the  fall  of  n  an,  and  the  corruption 
of  our  nature  is  contained  in  the  fcripture.  I  can  iliew 
that  it  is  entirely  correfpondent  with  the  courfe  of  nature 
and  the  fylfem  of  Providence.  But  we  need  hardly  ex- 
pe(5l  that  it  will  be  received  and  approved  till  the  pride 
of  the  heart  is  brought  down,  and  the  iinner  laid  at  the 
foot-ftool  of  divine  mercy." 

Another  remark  Illiall  make,  and  this  alfo  borrowed  from 
a  friend,  that  every  error  or  departure  from  the  truth  might 
be  traced  back  to  a  want  of  conviction,  and  not  having  a 
due  fenfe,  of  the  evil  of  lin.  Notwithflanding  all  the  boaft 
of  concern  for  moral  virtue,  and  the  repeated  objedVion 
that  the  doctrine  of  falvation  by  grace  leads  to  licentiouf- 
nefs  and  favors  immorality,  it  is  an  unhumbled  fpirit  that 
makes  fuch  perfons  oppofe  the  truth.  Self-righleoufnefs 
is  eafily  traced  back  to  this — all  the  merit  of  works  may  be 
reduced  to  it — had  fuch  perfons  a  proper  fenfe  of  the  ex- 
tent and  fpirituality  of  the  law  of  God,  they  would  never 
think  of  truding  in  themfelves  that  Aey  are  righteous  :  and 
did  they  feel  the  obligation  upon  every  intelli^j^ent  crea- 
ture, fupremely  to  honor  the  living  and  true  God,  they 
would  fee  the  evil  of  rel\i fmg  it ;  but  would  never  think 
of  pleading  any  merit  from  an  imperfedl  performance  of 
that  which  is  fo  perfe611y  due. 

In  the  lail  place,  as  to  the  inability  of  man  to  recover 
himfelf  by  his  own  power,  though  I  would  never  attempt 
to  edabliih  a  metaphyrical  fyilem  of  neceffity,  of  which 


Lectures  on  Dhinity*  lOJ 

infidels  avail  themfelves  in  oppofition  to  all  religion  nor 
preiunie  to  explain  the  influence  of  the  Creator  on  the 
creature  ;  yet  nothing  is  more  plain  from  fcripture  or  bet- 
ter fupported  by  daily  experience,  than  that  man  by  na- 
ture; is  in  fad  incapable  of  recovery  without  the  power  of 
God  fpecialiy  interpofed.  I  will  not  call  it  a  necelfity  ari- 
fing  from  the  irrefiflible  laws  of  nature.  I  fee  it  is  not  a 
nectffity  of  the  fame  kind  as  conllraint ;  but  I  fee  it  an 
impoflibility  fuch  as  the  fmner  never  does  overcome,  A 
late  author  in  Scotland  thinks  he  has  difcovered  the  great 
wheel  that  conneds  the  human  fyftem  with  the  univerfal 
kingdom  of  God  :  that  this  race  of  creatures  v\7ere  fufFered 
or  ordained  to  come  into  exigence,  to  be  a  (landing  mo- 
nument to  all  other  intelligences  through  the  iiniverfe,  that 
a  rational  creature  once  departing  from  his  allegiance  to 
his  Creator,  never  could  again  recover  it,  but  by  his  own 
Almighty  power  and  fovereign  grace. 


LECTURE   XVI. 

Of  the  Covenant  of  Grace. 


WE  come  now  to  fpeak  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace. 
This,  taking  it  in  a  large  fenfe,  may  be  faid  to 
comprehend  the  whole  plan  of  falvation  through  Jefus 
Chrid.  I  am  not  to  mention  every  thing  tliat  belongs  to 
this  fubjedl ;  but  before  entering  diredlly  into  the  eoniiitu- 
tion  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  it  will  be  proper  to  fpeak  a 
little  of  the  do6lrine  of  fatisfaclion  for  the  guilt  of  a  crea- 
ture. 

As  to  the  firfl:  of  thefe — Was  fatisfa£lion  or  fome  atone- 
ment neceflary  ?  would  it  have  been  inconfiflent  with  di- 
vine juftice  to  have  pardoned  fmners  without  it  ?  might 
not  the  fovereignty  and  mercy  of  God  have  difpen fed  witli 
the  punifliment  of  fm^  both  in  the  fmner  and  in  the  fare- 


ro4  Lectures  on  Divinityl 

ty  ?  The  agitation  of  this  queftion,  and  the  2eal  that  i^ 
Ihewn  by  fome  upon  it,  I  cannot  help  faying,  feenis  to 
arife  from  an  inward  averfion  to  the  truth  itfelf  of  the  fa- 
tisfadlion,  and  the  confequences  that  follow  from  it.  What 
does  it  fignify,  though  any  one  fliould  admit  that  God  by 
his  fovereignty  might  have  difpenfed  with  dernanding  fa^- 
tisfadion,  if  notwithftanding  it  appears  in  fa(ft  that  he  has 
demanded  and  exaded  it  ?  "  that  without  fliedding  of 
blood  there  is  no  remiffion,"  and  *'  that  there  is  no  other 
name,'*  &c.  Whether  it  has  been  fo  ordained,  becaufe  Xo 
have  done  othervvife  would  have  been  inconfiflent  with 
the  divine  perfedions,  or  becaufe  fo  it  feemed  good  unto 
God,  feems  at  leaft  an  unneceflary  if  not  an  indecent 
queftion.  We  have  an  infinite  concern  in  what  God  has 
done,  but  none  at  all  in  what  he  might  have  done.  On 
what  is  really  diiFicult  upon  this  fubjedt,  we  may  howe- 
ver make  the  i^w  following  remarks. 

(i)  From  its  adlually  taking  place  as  the  will  of  God, 
we  have  good  reafon  to  fay  it  was  the  wifeft  and  be  ft  j 
the  rather  that  we  find  many  of  the  higheft  encomiums  on 
the  Divine  perfections,  as  fliewing  in  this  great  difpenfa- 
tion  his  power,  wiidom,  mercy  andjuftice.  His  wifdom 
in  a  particular  manner  is  often  celebrated,  Eph.  iii.  lo. 
Rom.  xi.  33.  At  the  fame  time  it  is  proper  to  obferve 
the  harmony  of  the  divine  attributes  ;  that  the  juftice  of 
God  appears  more  awful  in  the  fufFeringS  of  Chrift  than  if 
the  whole  human  race  had  been  devoted  to  perdition  ;  and 
his  mercy  more  aftonifliing  and  more  amiable  in  the  gift 
of  his  Son,  than  it  could  have  been  in  the  total  remiflion  cf 
all  fin  without  any  fatisfaCtion,  had  it  been  poflible. 

(2.)  There  is  a  particular  proof  of  the  necefTity  of  fatis- 
fadion  that  arifes  from  the  death  of  Chrift,  confidered  as 
intimately  united  with  the  Divine  nature,  which  it  has 
been  already  proved  that  he  poflefTed,  Can  we  fuppofe  that 
fuch  a  meafure  would  have  been  taken,  if  it  had  not  been 
neceflary  ?  Can  we  fuppofe  that  the  eternal  Son  of  God 
would  have  humbled  himfelf  thus,  and  been  expofed  to 
fuch  a  degree  of  temptation,  and  fuch  amazing  fufFeringSi 
iiit  had  not  been  neceffary  ? 


Levtures  on  Dmriitf,  loj^ 

3.  All  the  accounts  given  us  in  fcripture  of  the  nature 
of  God,  his  perf«i6lIons  and  governmenr,  confirm  this  fup^ 
poficion.  The  infinite  juflice  and  holinefs  of  his  nature 
are  often  mentioned  in  fcripture  ;  that  he  hates  fm,  and 
cannot  look  upon  it  but  with  abhorrence,  and  particular- 
ly that  he  will  by  no  means  ipare  the  guiitjTi  It  is  fome- 
times  Dbjs6ted  here,  that  juflice  differs  from  other  attri- 
butes ;  and  that  its  claims  may  be  remitted,  being  due  only 
to  the  perfon  offended.  But  this  which  applies  in  part  to 
man,  cannot  at  a!i  be  applied  to  God.  I  fay  it  applies 
in  part  to  man,  becaufe  a  matter  of  private  right,  inde* 
pendent  of  the  public  good,  he  may  eafdy  pafs  by.  But 
it  is  not  fo  with  magidrcices  or  public  psrfons,  nor  even 
with  private  perfons,  when  they  take  in  the  confideratioa 
of  the  whole.  Bt^ fides,  when  we  confider  the  controverfy 
about  the  juftice  of  God  and  what  it  implies,  we  fhall  fee 
the  greateft  reafon  to  fuppofe  what  is  called  his  vindidive 
juliice^  viz.  a  difpofition  topunifhfm  becaufe  it  truly  me- 
rits it  even  independently  of  any  confequence  of  the  pu- 
nifliment,  either  for  the  reformation  of  the  perfon,  or  as  aa 
example  to  others.  The  idea  of  judice  and  guilt  carries 
this  in  it,  and  if  it  did  hot  there  would  be  an  apparent  ini* 
quity  in  punilhing  any  perfon  for  a  purpofe  different  from 
his  own  good. 

II.  The  fecortd  quellion  upon  the  fatisfadlion  is,  whe- 
ther it  was  jull  and  proper  to  admit  the  fubftitution  of  an 
innocent  perfon  in  the  room  of  the  guilty.  This  is  what 
the  Socinians  combat  with  all  their  might*  They  fay  it  is 
contrary  to  juflice  to  punifli  an  innocent  perfon;  that  God 
mufl  always  treat  things  as  they  really  are,  and  therefore 
Cau  never  reckon  it  any  proper  atonement  for  fin  to  pu* 
ni(h  one  that  never  committed  any  fin.  Before  I  ftat^  the 
reafoning  in  fupport  of  this  fundamental  doctrine  of  the 
gofpel,  I  will  firfl  briefly  point  out  the  qualifications  ne- 
ceffary  in  fuch  a  fubflitution.  (i)  The  fecurity  underta- 
king muft  be  willing  ;  it  would  certainly  be  contrary  to 
juflice  to  lay  a  punifliment  upon  an  innocent  perfon  with- 
out  his  confent.  (2)  He  mull  be  free  and  independent  ha- 
ving  a  right  over  his  own  life,  fo  that  he  is  not  accountable 
to  any  other  for  the  difpofal  of  it.     (3)  The  perfon  having 

Vol.  IV.  O 


to6  Lectures  on  Dhinityl 

the  demand  mufl:  be  fatisfied  and  contented  with  the  fub- 
Hitution,  indead  of  perfonal  piinifhrnent.  (4)  That  the 
furety  be  truly  able  to  make  fatisfa<^ion  in  full.  (5)  That 
it  be  in  all  rcfpedts  as  ufeful,  and  that  the  fufferer  be  not 
loft  to  the  public.  (6)  fome  add  that  he  be  related  to  and 
of  the  fame  nature  with  the  guilty.  This  is  generally  ad- 
ded from  the  conftitution  of  Chrift's  perfon,  and  in  that 
inftance  furely  has  a  great  degree  of  fuitablenefs,  but  does 
not  feem  to  me  to- be  fo  neceffary  as  the  other  particulars 
for  eftablifliing  the  general  principle. 

Now  fuppofmg  all  thefe  circumftances,  vicarious  fatis- 
fa6l:on  for  fm  feems  to  me  eafily  and  perfectly  juilifiable  : 
to  make  this  appear,  attend  to  the  three  following  obferva- 
tions.       ' 

( i)  There  is  nothing  in  it  at  all  contrary  to  juflice.  If 
^ny  innocent  perfon  were  pnniflied  againfl  his  will  or 
laid  under  a  neceflity  of  fufFering  for  the  cauie  of  another, 
it  would  evidently  be  repugnant  to  the  idea  of  juftice. 
But  when  it  is  done,  as  by  the  fuppofition,  willingly  and 
freely,  injuftice  is  wholly  excluded.  If  W'e  could  indeed 
fuppofe  ignorance  and  ralhnefsin  the  undertaking,  fo  that 
he  confented  to  what  he  did  not  underftand,  there  Would 
be  injuftice,  but  this  alfo  is  wholly  excluded  in  the"  cafe 
before  us. 

(2)  There  is  nothing  in  it  contrary  to  utility,  becaufe 
it  has  precifely  the  fame  eftedl  in  demonftrating  the  evil 
of  fin  in  the  one  cafe  as  in  the  other.  In  any  human  go- 
vernment it  certainly  ferves  as  much  to  ratify  the  law,  and 
in  many  cafes  the  exading  the  debt  with  rigor  of  a  fure- 
ty is  a  more  awful  fandion  to  the  law,  than  even  the 
fatisfadlion  of'the  offending  party.  We  have  not  in  all 
hiftory  I  think,  an  inftance  of  this  kind  fo  ftriking  as  the 
lawgiver  of  the  Lorrians,  who  had  made  a  law  that  a- 
dultery  Ihould  be  puni-flied  with  the  lofs  of  both  the  eyes. 
His  own  fon  was  ihortly  after  convicted  of  the  crime  ; 
and  to  fulfil  the  law,  he  fufFered  one  of  his  6wn  eyes-  to 
be  put  out,  and  oneof  his  Son's.  Every  body  muft  per- 
ceive that  fuch  an  example  was  a  greater  terror  to  others, 
than  if  the  law  had  been  literally  infTided  on  the  offen- 
der    After  having  mentioned  thefe  two  particulars,  I 


Lectures  on  Dhinity,  lof 

obferve  that  the  thin^  is  in  a  mod  precife  and  exafl  man. 
ner  laid   down  in  fcripture.     It   is  iiDpoffible  to  invent 
expreflions,  that  are  either  more  flrong  or  more  definite 
than  are  there  to  be  found.      It  is  an  obfervation  of  fosrie 
of  the   Socinian  writers   that  the  word  fatisfadion  is  not 
to  be  ibund  in  fcripture,  and  in  this  they  often  triumph  : 
but  nothing  can  be  more  ridiculous,    for  fatisfa6lion  is  a 
modern  term  of  art,  and  unknown  in  that  fenfe  to  anti- 
quity.     But  can  there  be  any  thing  more  plain,  than  that 
it  is  intended  to  ex  pre fs  the  very  meaning  fo  fully  and  fo 
varioufly  exprefTed,  both  in  the  fcriptures  and  the  heathen 
writers  ?     The  v/ord  in  the  Old  Teflament  moft  frequent- 
ly ufed  is,  atoning,  making  atonement  for  fin,  or  for  the 
foul.     What  could  be  more  plain  than  not  only  the  great 
day  of  atonement,  but  the  daily  facrificc  in  which  certain 
men  were  appointed  to  reprefent  the  people  of  Ifrael,  and 
lay  their  hands  on  the  head  of  the  devoted  bead  and  con- 
fefs  the  fins  of  the  people,  which  had  not  any  other  intel- 
ligible meaning  than  the  transferring  the  guilt  from  the 
finner  to  the  vi6lim.     The  fprinkling  the  blood  in   the 
Old  Teflament  upon  the  horns  of  the  altar,  whence  by 
allufion  the  blood  of  Ghrifl  is  called  the  blood  of  fprink- 
ling, carries  this  truth  in  it,  in  the  plained  manner — and 
the  prophecies  of  Ifaiah,  chap.  liii.  5,  "  he  was  wounded 
"  for  our  tranfgrtflion,"  &c.  "  When  he  iliall  give  his  foul 
an  offeringforfin,"&c.  Butwere  there  the  lead  obfcurityin 
the  type,  the  truth  as  dated  in  the  New  Tedament,  would 
put  the  matter  out  of  all  doubt.     The  expreffions  are  fo 
many  that  we  cannot,  and  we  need  not  enumerate  them 
all — "  redeemed — bought  with  a  price — redeemed  not 
with  corruptible  things,  as  filver  or   gold,  but  with    the 
precious  blood  of  Chrid — This  is  my  blood  fhed  for  many, 
for  the  remiflion  of  fins — he  gave  himfelf  a  ranfom  for  all 
— unto  him  that   loved  us,  and  wadied  us  from  our  fins 
in  his  own  blood." 

I  would  jud  add  here,  that  as  by  the  conditution  of  our 
nature,  and  our  being  made  to  defcend  in  a  certain  fuC- 
ceflfion  by  natural  generation,  there  is  a  communication 
of  guilt  and  impurity  from  Adam  ;  fo  we  have  in  human 
fccietyj  and  indeed  infeparable  from  it,  the  idea  of  conv 


to8  Lectures  on  Dhinhy, 

trjunication  by  natural  relation  of  honor  and  fhame,  hap-' 
pinefs  and  mifery,  as  well  as  the  cleareil  notion  of  vokm* 
tary  fubftitution.  We  fee  that  the  worth  and  eminent  qua^ 
litles  of  any  perfon,  give  luftre  and  dignity  to  his  pofleri- 
ty ;  and  wickednefs  or  bafenefs  dots  juft  the  contrary. 
We  fee  that  men  may  eafily,  and  do  necelTiirily,  receive 
much  pleafure  from  the  happinefs  of  their  relations,  and 
niifery  in  fympathy  with  their  fufferings.  And  as  to  vo^ 
luntary  fubftitution,  it  is  as  familiar  to  us  as  any  tranfac^ 
lion  in  fociai  life.  It  is  true  there  are  not  many  inftan- 
ces  of  men's  being  bound  in  their  life  for  one  another ;  for 
which  feveral  good  reafons  may  be  afligned.  There  are 
not  many  men  of  fuch  exalted  generofity  as  to  be  willing 
to  forfeit  life  for  life ;  it  is  rarely  that  this  would  be  a  pro. 
per  or  adequate  fatisfadlion  to  the  law  ;  and  it  would  no4 
be  the  intereft  of  human  fociety,  commonly  to  receive  it. 
Yet  the  thing  is  far  from  being  inhuman  or  unpradifed— - 
There  are  fome  inftances  in  ancient  times,  Jn  which  men 
have  procured  liberty  for  their  friends,  by  being  confined 
in  their  room.  And  both  in  ancient  and  modern  times, 
hoftages  delivered  by  nations,  or  public  focieties,  are  obli- 
ged tp  abide  the  punifhment  due  to  their  conflituents. 

(3.)  The  third  quellion  on  the  fubje6l  of  fatisfadion  is, 
Whether  it  was  neceffary  that  the  redeemer  or  mediator 
ihould  be  5  divine  perfon?  It  may  beafked,  whether  an  an- 
gel of  the  highefl  order,  who  was  perfectly  innocent,  might 
not  have  made  fatisfadipn  for  the  fins  of  men  ?  Perhaps 
this  is  one  oi  the  many  queflions  in  theology,  that  are  un- 
neceffary  or  improper.  It  is  fufficient  to  fay  that  it  ap- 
pears either  to  have  been  neceflary  or  bell,  that  one  truly 
divine  fbould  make  fatisfadion  for  fin,  fince  it  bas  been 
ordained  of  God,  who  does  nothing  unnecefl'ary. 

But  befides  this,  it  feems  to  be  confonant  to  other  parts 
of  revealed  religion,  particularly  the  infinite  evil  of  fm  as 
committed  againfl  God, for  which  no  finite  being  feems  fuf- 
ficient to  atone.  To  which  we  may  add,  that  all  finite,  de- 
pendant, created  beings  are  under  fuch  obligations  them- 
felves,  that  it  is  nqt  eafy  to  fee  what  they  can  do  in  obcr 
dience  to  the  will  of  God,  which  can  have  any  merit  in  it, 
pf  whith  they  vVQuld  not  b^  obliged  to  do  for  the  purpotq 


Lectures  on  Dhinity.  169 

of  his  glory  at  any  time  ;  neither  does  any  created  being 
feem  fo  much  his  own  mailer,  as  to  enter  into  any  fuch 
undertaking. 

There  is  an  objetlion  made  tothisdoclrine,  fometimes 
to  the  following  purpofe. — How  could  the  fecond  perfon 
of  the  ever  blefled  Trinity  be  faid  to  make  fatisfa<^ion  ? 
Was  he  not  equally  offended  with  the  other?  Could  he 
make  fatisfadion  to  himfelf  ?  But  this  objedlion  is  eafily 
folved,  for  not  to  mention  that  we  cannot  transfer  with 
fafety  every  thing  human  to  God,  the  thing  in  queftion  is 
by  no  means  unknown  in  human  affairs.  Though  for  the 
payment  of  a  debt  on  which  the  creditor  infiRs,  it  would 
be  ridiculous  to  fay  he  might  pay  himfelf;  yet  in  the 
charader  of  a  magiftrate  fitting  to  judge  a  criminal  where 
he  reprefents  the  public,  it  is  no  way  unfuitable  for  him 
to  put  off  the  public  perfon,  and  fatisfy  the  demands  of 
jultice,  and  preferve  the  honor  of  the  Ihw. 

Here  I  would  conclude  by  jufl  obferving,  that  there  is 
no  neceffity  of  a  furety's  doing  juft  the  fame  thing  in  kind 
that  the  guilty  perfon  was  bound  to  do.  The  charadler 
and  dignity  of  the  furcty  may  operate  fo  far  as  to  produce 
the  legal  effed,  and  make  the  fatisfadion  proper  for  giving 
its  due  honour  to  the  law.  Thus  in  the  fufferings  of  Chrifl, 
the  infinite  value  of  the  fufferer's  perfon,  makes  the  fuf- 
ferings to  be  confidered  as  a  juil  equivalent  to  the  eternal 
fufferings  of  a  finite  creature. 


LECTURE  XVII. 


LET  us  proceed  to  the  conHitution  of  the  covenant ; 
and  you  may  obferve  that  there  is  fome  difference 
among  orthodox  divines  as  to  the  way  of  ftating  the 
parties  and  the  terms  of  the  covenant  of  grace.  There 
feems  to  be  mention  made  in  fcripture  of  a  covenant  or 
ggreement  between  the  Father  and  the  Son,  This  the  ge- 


Xi<^.  Lectures  on  Dhinhy^ 

nerallty  of  Calvlnift  divines  confider  as  a  feparate  or  prc^ 
paratory  contrail,  and  call  it  the  covenant  ol  redemption. 
Some  however,  efpecially  thofe  who  have  been  termed 
AntinotT^ians,  confider  this  as  properly  the  covenant  of 
grace,  made  with  Chrift  the  fecond  Adam  as  reprefenting 
his  rpiritual  feed^  and  the  covenant  faid  to  be  made  with 
believers  to  be  only  the  execution  or  adminiftration  of 
that  covenant,  and  therefore  called  a  teftament,  being  the 
fruits  of  Chrid's  death,  or  ratified  by  the  death  of  the  teC-;' 
tator.  According  to  the  different  ways  of  viewing  this' 
matter,  they  exprefs  themfelves  differently.  The  firll  fay- 
ing that  the  condition  of  the  covenant  of  grace  is  faith  in 
Jefus  Chrift  ;  and  the  other  faying  it  is  the  rigbteoiifnefs 
of  Chrilh  I  do  not  apprehend  there  need  be  any  differ- 
ence between  thofe  now  mentioned,  and  1  obferve  Mr. 
Willifon  in  his  catechifm  takes  it  both  ways.  I  fhall 
firft  very  fhortly  fhew  you  from  fcripture  that  there  is 
plainly  mention  made  of  a  covenant,  or  a  tranfaclion  be- 
tv/een  the  Father  and  the  Son,  which,  if  di(lin6t  from  the 
covenant  of  grace,  may  be  properiy  enough  called  the 
covenant  of  redemption. 

There  are  many  promifes  made  direftly  to  the  media- 
tor refpe6ling  this  matter,  Pf.  ii.  6.  *^  I  declare  the  de- 
*•  cree,"  &c.  Ifa.  v.  3,  10.  "When  he  fliall  make  hrs 
''  ibul,"  &:c.  Ifa,  xlii.  i,  6,  7.  "  Behold  my  fervant  whom 
"  I  uphold  ;  mine  ehtl  in  whom  my  foul  delighteth,  I 
''have  put  my  fpirit  upon  him,  he  fliall  bring  forth  judg- 
'•'-  ment  to  the  Gentiles.  I  the  Lord  have  called  thee  in 
''  righteoufnefs  and  will  hold  thine  hand,  and  will  keep 
'■^  thee  and  give  thee  for  a  covenant  of  the  people,  for  alight 
"•'  of  the  Gentiles,  Zech.  vi.  13.  "And  the  council  of  peace 
*•  fliall  be  between  them  both."  I  only  further  mention 
PL  xl.  6,  7,  8,  "  Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  didfl  not 
*'  defire,"  &c.  The  truth  is,  that  not  only  the  Socinians 
who  are  enemies  to  the  fatisfaftion  of  Chrifi:,  but  even  the 
Arminians  decline  the  admiffion  of  this  truth,  and  attempt 
to  explain  away  the  above  texts;  yet  fomething  equivalent 
to  it  is  neceffarily  confequent  upon  Ghrill*s  undertaking. 
When  he  was  conftituted  mediator  by  the  Divine  decree, 
lie  mufl  have  affented  to  it,  and  freely  undertaken  the  im* 


Lectures  on  Divimty*  If  if 

portatit  charge.  It  is  alfo  evidently  the  fpirit  of  the  New 
Tellament  difpenfation  that  the  hope  and  ftrength  of  be- 
lievers are  in  Chrift.  He  is  faid  to  have  afcended  up  on 
high  and  received  gifts  for  men,  ;.^:,1  of  his  fuhiefs,  we 
are  faid  by  the  apoftle  John,  to  receive  grace  for  grace. 

But  the  covenant  of  grace  is  faid  to  be  more  frequent. 
ly  made  with  men,  with  the  houfe  of  Ifrael,  with  the  cho- 
fen  of  God,  with  his  people.  It  is  a  compad  or  agree- 
ment between  God  and  e]e«5l  finners  to  give  freely  and  of 
mere  mercy  Chrill  to  die  for  them,  and  with  him  a  par- 
don of  fm  and  a  right  to  everlafting  life,  together  v/ith  the 
Spirit  of  fandtiiication  to  make  them  meet  for  it ;  all  which 
the  believer  receives  and  accepts  in  the  manner  in  which 
it  is  offered  and  reds  his  eternal  ftate  upon  it.  This  tranf- 
action  has  many  different  titles  given  it  in  fcripture.  It  is 
ealled  the  covenant  of  grace,  which  is  properly  the  Theo- 
logical phrafe — a  covenant,  becaufe  it  is  often  called  fo  in 
the  Old  Teftament  and  in  the  New,  and  of  grace  becaufe 
it  is  fo  often  repeated  in  both  that  falvation  is  of  grace, 
and  particularly  in  order  to  ffate  the  oppofition  between  it 
and  the  covenant  of  works.  It  is  alfo  called  a  covenant 
of  peace,  and  that  with  a  double  view  ;  to  diftinguifli  it 
from  the  covenant  of  works,  and  from  the  covenant  on 
Sinai  at  the  giving  the  law.  It  is  called  likewife  an  ever- 
lafting covenant,  to  diftinguiih  it  from  any  temporary  co- 
venant— It  is  alfo  called  the  promise^  and  the  promife 
made  of  GOD  unto  our  fathers. 

In  what  I  ihall  further  offer  upon  it,  it  is  my  defign 
(i.)  To  confider  the  conftitution  of  the  covenant  in  its  pro- 
miles  and  conditions.  (2.)  The  various  difpenfations  of 
it  and  their  relations  to  one  another.  (3,)  In  v/hat  man- 
ner the  gofpel  is  to  be  preached  agreeably  to  it,  and  what 
views  of  things  are  contrary  to  it. 

•  As  to  the  conftitution  of  the  covenant,  you  fee  the  firfl 
and  leading  idea  of  it  is,  free  and  unmerited  mercy — that 
flnners  had  deferved  to  perilh — that  divine  juftice  pro- 
nounced their  condemnation.  This  muft  lie  at  the  foun* 
dation  of  the  whole. — It  was  for  this  reafon  that  a  medi- 
ator was  provided,  and  the  Saviour  is  offered  by  God  him- 
ielf,  as  the  fruit  of  his  love,  John  iii,  16.  "  God  fo  loved 


Hi        '  Lectures  on  Dhinltyl 

•'  the  world,"  &c.  The  freenefs  of  falvallorl  in  the  got 
pel  is  largely  infifled  on,  and  proved  by  the  apoflle  in  his 
cpiftle  to  the  Romans,  and  particularly  chap.  iv.  i6.  fpeak- 
ing  of  the  covenant  under  the  title  of  the  law  of  faith,  he 
fays,  "  therefore  it  is  of  faith,  that  it  might  be  of  grace.*' 
This  covenant  is  eflablifiied  by  a  mediator,  for  every 
blelTmg  comes  to  believers  through  Chrifi:  and  for  his 
fake,  who  is  made  unto  us  wifdom  and  righteoufnefs^ 
fandification  and  redemption.  The  promifes  of  the  co- 
venant of  grace,  may  be  taken  in  either  view,  more  ge* 
nerally  or  more  particularly. — In  general,  it  procures  de- 
liverance from  the  wrath  of  God,  and  from  every  part  of 
the  curfe  of  a  broken  law.  Some  alfo  dillinguim  the  pro* 
rnifes  generally,  into  grace  and  glory, — peace  with  God, 
holinefs  on  earth,  and  the  enjoyment  of  God  at  laiL  But 
that  I  may  ftate  them  in  the  way  mofl;  proper  for  preaching 
the  gofpel  and  carrying  the  meflage  of  peace,  I  (hull  enu- 
merate them  in  the  following  order  : — - 

(i)  The  covenant  promifes  Chrift  the  mediator  to  make 
fatisfadion  to  divine  judice  by  his  fufFerings  and  death. 
He  was  the  promife  made  of  God  unto  the  fathers,  and  un- 
der  the  obfcurity  of  the  ancient  difpenfation  he  was  the 
hope  of  Ifrael,  and  the  defire  of  all  nations  ;  and  when  he 
was  come  into  the  world,  he  was  called  the  Lord's  Chrift, 
and  the  falvation  of  God.  So  Simeon  exprefled  himfelf^ 
*'  Lord  now  letteft  thou  thy  fervant  depart  in  peace,*'  &c. 
And  as  the  Redeemer  appeared  firil:  as  the  obje£l  of 
faith  to  the  ancient  patriarchs,  fo  to  convinced  finners 
under  the  gofpel,  a  faviour  is  the  firft  ground  of  confola- 
tion. 

(2)  The  covenant  promifes  the  full  and  free  pardon  of 
all  fin  through  Chrill,  John  i.  16.  Ifr;.  Iv.  i.  The  forgive- 
nefs  of  fins  is  the  do6lrine  which  Chrift  commanded  hi^ 
difciples  to  preach  to  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerufalem, 
I  Tim.  i.  15.  "  This  is  a  faithful  faying,"  &c.  The  uni- 
verfality  of  the  offer  of  mercy,  is  what  particularly  diflin- 
guifhcsit,  Matth.  xi.  28.  *'  Come  unto  me — and  him  that 
«'  Cometh,  I  will  in  no  wife  call  out."  &c.  This  fee ms 
to  be  indeed  the  preliminary  mercy,  that  opens  the  way  to 
every  other,  and  it  was  in  this  view  that  the  gofpel  was 


Lectures  on  Dhlnitf*  iii 

preached  to  the  humbled  and  needy,  Luke  iv.  i8.  "  The 
*'  Jpirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,''  &c. 

(3.)  The  covenant  promifes  the  fpirit  of  fan£lificati'on 
to  renew  our  nature,  and  form  us  for  the  fervice  of  God, 
Jer.  xxxi.  33,  34.  Jer.  xxxii.  40.  *'  And  I  will  make  aa 
**  everlalHng  covenant  with  them,"  &:c.  Ezek.  xxxvi. 
15,  26,  27.  "-  Then  will  I  fprinkle  clean  waler  upon  you,'* 
&c.  It  is  with  a  view  to  this,  that  we  are  told,  Ac^ls  v.  31, 
**  That  Chrift  was  exalted,"  &c.  I  need  not  multiply 
paffages  to  this  purpofe,  for  it  is  the  conftant  teftimony 
of  the  Icriptures,  that  any  gracious  difpofition  in  believers 
is  the  work  of  God's  holy  Spirit,  and  therefore  are  they 
called  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit.  It  is  not  only  the  bringing 
fmners  again  to  God  by  repentance  that  is  confidered  as 
the  work  of  God's  Spirit,  but  the  continuance  and  increafe 
of  fanftification  is  attributed  to  their  being  an  habitation 
of  God  through  the  Spirit ;  *'  I  will  live  in  them  and  walk 
*'  in  them,"  &c. 

(4.)  The  covenant  promifes  the  favor  of  God,  and  all 
its  happy  fruits,  while  in  this  life,  2  Cor.  xvii.  18.  "Where- 
*'  fore  come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  feparate, 
"  faith  the  Lord,"  &c.  I  need  not  here  mention  the  parti- 
culars that  fall  under  this  head — deliverance  from  temp- 
tations— fupport  under  fufFerings — the  fan6lified  ufe  of 
fufFerings ;  btrcaufe  we  are  in  one  word  affured  that  "  all 
things  Ihall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,'* 
and  I  Cor.  iii.  22.  "  For  all  things  are  yours,  whether  Paul 
or  A  polios,"  &.C. 

(5.)  In  the  laft  place,  the  covenant  promifes  eternal 
life.  We  cannot  fay  what  would  have  been  the  fullnefs 
of  that  life  v/hich  belonged  to  the  firfl  covenant ;  but  it 
ieems  to  be  generally  agreed,  that  the  promife  of  a  glori- 
ous hnmortality,  contained  in  the  gofpel,  is  much  great- 
er  and  more  valuable,  than  that  which  was  Icfl  by  the 
fall.  Life  and  immortality  are  faid  to  be  brought  to  light 
by  the  gofpel ;  and  our  Saviour  is  faid  to  have  entered  into 
the  holieft  of  all,  as  the  firll  fruits  of  them  that  flept,  and 
to  have  gone  to  prepare  a  place  for  them,  that  where  he  is^ 
there  they  may  be  alfo. 

Vol.  IV.  P 


J 14  Lectures  on  t)mniij. 

Let  us  now  fpeak  of  the  conditions  of  the  covenant  of 

grace.  As  I  hintt-d  he'ore,  thole  who  make  the  covenant 
of  grace  an.d  covenant  ol  redemption  the  fame  thinp,  lay, 
the  coiulition  is  Chriii's  perledl  mtrit  and  obedience.  Nei- 
ther indeed  istlitre  aw)  thing  elle  that  can  be  called  the 
meritorious  condition.  Thofe  who  fay  that  the  covenant 
of  grace  Was  made  u  ith  man,  lay  that  the  conditions  is  faith 
in  our  Lord  Jtius  Chrift.  And  it  is  undoubtedly  true,  that 
faith  intereltb  us  m  Ciirill,  and  brings  us  really  within  tiie 
bond  ol  I  e  covenant.  F»dth  alone  brings  us  to-it ;  for  any 
thing  elfe  that  might  bt  confidered  as  a  condition,  is  only 
a  promife  or  what  C  rcd  wiii  do  lor  his  people.  But  to  ilate 
th'S  matter  as  clearly  as  1  am  able,  whether  there  are  con- 
ditions or  not,  or  what  are  the  conditions  of  the  covenant 
ol  grace,  depends  entirely  on  the  ienfe  in  which  we  take 
the  word  condition,  avve  take  it  asimpl}ing  proper  n-ie- 
rit,  or  the  plea  or  clainj  in  jullice  for  obiaininj.>  the  promi- 
fes,  nothing  can  be  plainer,  than  that  there  is  not,  and  can- 
no:  be  ol  this  kind,  any  condition,  but  the  voluntary,  per- 
fe61,  meriroiious  obedience  ol  the  Lord  jelus  Crrill.  .[  we 
take  it  as  fignifying  any  particular  duty  or  performance, 
as  the  term  on  which  the  promile  is  fulpended,  as  in  the 
iiril  covenant  abliaining  irom  the  tree  ot  knowledge  of 
good  and  evil,  it  can  ftarcely  be  faid  with  propriety,  that 
it  has  a  condition  ;  lor  the  tenor  of  the  covenant,  in  its 
promifing  part,  is  fuch.  that  every  thing  of  this  kind  is  pro- 
miled  as  the  v^ork  ot  God.  Theretore  many  divines  have 
aflerted,  that  the  golpel,  ilri£\Iy  fo  called,  has  no  coi  dition, 
but  confilis  wholly  of  free  and  veracious  piomifts.  (See  this 
matter  wcli  Hated  in  Witfius'  Econonjy  of  the  Covenants.) 
It  is  for  this  reafon,  that  it  is  often  called  a  teflament, 
even  where  we  have  it  tranflated  covenant. 

But  if  condition  is  taken  to  fignify  a  charaffer,  qualifi- 
cation, or  what  is  neceffary  to  fit  us  tor  everlaliing  life, 
th(  n  faith,  repentance,  new  obedience,  and  final  perfe- 
Verance,  are  all  conditions,  but  very  improperly  fo  called. 
I.  Mctd  in  this  fenle  the  covenant  of  grace  has  as  many 
conditions  as  the  law  has  duties.  Yet  even  in  this  view 
we  are  carefully  to  obferve,  that  there  is  a  difference  in 
the  conftitution  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  betwten  laith 


Lectures  on  Dmnity,  iij 

in  the  blood  of  the  atonement,  and  its  fruits,  the  various 
graces  of  the  chrillian  life.  For  dS  the  pronifes  of  the  co- 
venant contain  not  only  the  free  j3ardon  of  fin  forCliriU's 
fake,  but  alfo  the  fpirit  of  fanclification,  faith  is  tiie  im- 
mediate inftrument  for  receiving  or  laying  hold  of  this 
mercy.  If  there  is  to  man  (properly  fpeakinji)  a  condi- 
tion of  the  covenant,  it  mull  be  faith,  bccaufe  this,  re- 
nouncing all  felfdependance,  accepts  and  clofes  with  the 
promife  of  recovery  and  falvation,  juil  in  the  manner  in 
which  it  is  offered  freely,  without  money  and  without 
price.  It  is  plainlv  Jlated  in  this  manner  in  the  Epifile 
to  the  Romans.  "  Therefore  it  is  by  faith,  that  it  may  be 
by  grace."  *'  To  him  that  worketh  is  the  reward  not 
**  reckoned  of  grace,  but  of  debt ;  but  to  him  that  worketh 
"  not,  bat  believeth  in  him  that  judifieth  the  ungodly,  his 
**  faith  is  counted  to  him  for  righteoufnefs."  Faith  in- 
deed is  highly  proper  for  receiving  the  rijjfhteoufnefs  of 
Ghrift,  becaufe  it  gives  the  glory  only  to  God.  To  fup- 
pofe  faith  has  any  merit  in  it  is  juil  as  abfurd  as  to  fup. 
pofe  that  a  perfon,  being  wholly  needy  and  helplefs,  his 
accepting  the  bounty  of  another,  is  an  evidence  of  his  ha- 
ving abundance  of  his  own. 

As  to  the  fruits  of  faith,  or  works  of  riehteoufnefs,  no 
perfon  can  cleny  that  they  are  the  proper  evidence  of  our 
relation  to  God  : — That  they  are  the  expreflians  of  our 
love  to  hiin  : — That  they  are  necefTiry  to  forin  us  ior  his 
fervice  an  i  fit  us  for  iiis  prefence  :  Bjt  being  the  work  of 
his  holy  Spirit,  and  the  accomplKhine'it  of  nis  faithful  pro- 
mife, it  is  impoflible  that  they  (hould  be  in  any  refpedt 
conditions  of  the  covenant  of  grace. 

The  promifes  of  the  covenant  of  grace  are  ranged  in  a  ' 
certain  order — they  introduce  and  lead  to  one  another, 
and  they  are  to  be  received  and  applied  precifely  in  the 
fame  order — -Ghrift  the  Saviour — the  free  pardon  of  fm— 
a  new  nature  as  the  work  of  his  fpirit — increafe  of  grace 
. — a  fandlified  Providence — viclory  over  death — and  the 
pofTefTion  of  everlafling  life. — Tliefe  muft  take  place  jufl 
in  the  order  I  have  mentioned  them.  If  the  order  is  in- 
verted,  the  fyftem  is  deftroyed. 


j_i^  Lectures  on  Dhinity, 

2.  The  fecond  thing  to  be  confidered  is  the  various  dlf- 
penfations  of  the  covenant,  and  their  relation  to  one  ano- 
ther. The  covenant  of  grace  in  evety  difpenfetion  differs 
from  the  covenant  of  works.  The  covenant  of  works  re- 
quired perfect  obedience,  and  one  fin  rendered  it  void. 
In  the  covenant  of  grace  there  is  provifion  made,  not  on- 
ly for  reconciling  the  fmner,  but  for  daily  pardon  to  the 
believer.  In  the  covenant  of  works  every  thing  depends 
upon  the  perfonal  condu6l  of  the  interelled  party  ;  in  the 
covenant  of  grace  there  is  a  Mediator  who  lays  his  hands 
upon  them  both. 

As  to  the  difpenfations  of  the  covenant  of  grace  we  may 
confider  them  as  appearing  before  the  law,  under  the  law, 
and  from  the  coming  of  Chrill. 

( t.)  Before  giving  the  law  we  fee  the  promife  is  made 
in  the  following  terms—'*  The  feed  of  the  woman  fhall 
^'  bruife  the  ferpant's  head," — And  to  Abraham—-''  In  thy 
«  feed  fhall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  bleffed."  I  think 
the  promife,  if  not  the  covenant,  was  fubllantially  made 
the  iame  then  as  now.  The  apoftle  to  the  Galatians,  iii, 
17,  thought  the  fame  thing,  that  the  promife  to  Abraham 
was  the  New  Teftament  promife,  and  that  whatever  the 
law  had  peculiar  to  itfelf  was  pofterior  to  the  promife, "  and 
"  this  I  fay  that  the  covenant  which  was  confirmed  before 
**  of  God  in  Chrifl,"  &c.  The  promife  at  that  time,  as 
now,  was  eternd  life,  as  the  Apoftle  to  the  Hebrews 
plainly  proves,  Heb,  xi.  13.  '*  Thefe  all  died  in  faith,*' 
gjj^c. — It  is  alfo  plain  I  think,  that  as  the  promife  to  the 
faith  of  the  ancient  patriarchs  was  in  fubftance  the  fame 
with  ours,  fo  their  faith  itfelf  was  alfo  the  fame.  It  was; 
a  reliance  on  the  mercy  of  God.  It  was  that  faith  which 
is  the  evidence  of  things  not  feen,  and  the  fubftance  of 
things  hoped  for, 

(2.)  Under  the  law  the  covenant  alfo  was  the  fame  in 
fubllance,  as  appears  by  the.  arguments  juft  now  hinted 
at.  The  only  thing  particular,  is  to  confider  what  was 
the  import  of  the  Sinai  covenant,  or  the  defign  of  giving 
the  law  of  Mofes.  Some,  feeing  that  the  Levitical  law 
ponfifts  chiefly  of  temporal  promifes,  are  for  fuppofing  that 


Lectures  on  Dhinity*  1 17 

difpenfation  quite  diftindt  from  the  covenant  of  grace. 
They  have  even  called  the  ten  commandments  given  up- 
on Mount  Sinai,  a  republication  of  the  law  of  nature,  and 
of  the  covenant  of  works.  A  late  celebrated  writer.  Dr. 
Warburton,  attempted  to  Ihew  that  Mofes  did  not  in  the 
law  give  them  any  reafonto  exped  eternal  life,  but  con- 
lined  both  the  promifes  and  threatenin^s  entirely  to  things 
temporal.  Even  to  this  author  probably  many  have  im- 
puted more  than  he  intended  to  affirm.  Yet  he  certainly 
carries  his  arguments  too  far,  in  iuppofing  that  in  none 
of  the  infpired  writers  of  the  Old  Teftament  is  eternal 
life  propoled  as  the  objedl  of  faith.  This  may  be  eafily 
refuted  ;  and  indeed  is  in  the  book  of  Job  fo  ilrongly  re- 
futed, that  the  author  is  forced  into  the  extraordinary  fup- 
pofition  of  that  book  being  as  late  as  the  Babylonifli  cap- 
tivity, in  order  to  rid  himfelf  of  it.  However,  I  think 
that  it  mull  be  admitted  that  temporal  promifes  and  threat- 
nings  make  the  mofl  diftinguiflied  appearance  in  the  Le- 
vitical  law.  This  took  place  becaufe  it  was  defigned  as 
a  typical  difpenfation,  and  to  be  a  fliadow  of  good  things  to 
come.  It  is  plain  however,  that  the  law  of  Mofes  did 
not  provide  an  atonement  for  every  crime,  and  fuppofed 
many  fms  which  could  not  be  expiated  by  the  blood  of 
bulls  or  of  goats,  for  which  the  only  remedy  was  reliance 
on  the  mere  mercy  of  God,  in  the  exercife  of  true  repen- 
tance, fee  Ifa,  i.  16.  &c.  the  fame  prophet,  chap.  Iv.  i. 
*'  Ho  !  every  one  that  thirfteth,"  &c. 

Tiie  New  Teftament  exprefsly  tells  us,  that  the  law 
was  a  fchool-mafter  to  bring  us  to  Chrift,  and  the  innu- 
merable perfons,  and  things,  and  ordinances,  that  were 
typical  in  it,  need  not  be  mentioned.  The  land  of  Canaan 
itfelf,  and  all  the  temporal  promifes  preparatory  to  it  or 
in  confequence  of  the  poffellion  of  it,  had  a  reference  to 
the  fpiritual  promifes  under  the  gofpel,  and  doub'defs  the 
acceptance  and  falvation  of  them  under  the  law,  are  up- 
on the  footing  of  the  everlafling  covenant,  which  began  to 
be  delivered  before  the  law  was  given,  and  will  continue 
till  the  final  confummation  of  all  things. 

The  moral  law  publiflied  upon  Mount  Sinai  mull  not 
be  confidered  as  a  republication  of  the  covenant  oi  works, 


XiS  Lectures  on  Divinity^ 

but  a  publication  or  fummary  of  that  immutable  law  of 
righteournefs,  which  is  the  duty  of  creaiur^s,  and  «nufl 
accompany  the  adminiftration  of  every  covenant  which 
God  makes  with  man, 

(3.)  Since  the  coming  of  Chrift,  the  covenant  of  grace 
is  adminiftered  in  a  manner  more  tull,  clear  and  efficaci- 
ous than  in  any  of  the  former  dates.  It  was  formerly  ad- 
miniftered in  the  name  of,  and  by  a  promifed  Saviour ; 
It  is  now  adminiftered  in  the  name  of,  and  by  a  rifen  Re. 
deemer,  who  OFice  fuffered  and  now  reigns  in  ^lory.  The 
harmony  of  all  the  divine  perfedions  in  the  great  falvation, 
is  more  apparent  now  than  formerly,  and  the  preaching  of 
the  glad  tidinj2;s  of  peace  to  finners  is  more  explicit  and 
more  univerfdl.  What  falls  chiefly  to  be  confidered  is, 
how  far  the  former  difpenfations  are  fufpended  or  abroga- 
ted by  the  coming  of  Chrift  in  the  fltfh.  The  covenant 
ratified  by  the  death  of  Chrift  is  called  a  new  covenant,  in 
oppofition  to  that  which  is  old  and  vaniflied  away.  Cer- 
tainly the  covenant  is  called  new,  in  oppofition  to  the  co- 
venant of  works,  which  as  the  way  of  falvation  was  abro- 
gated from  the  date  of  the  firft  promife,  and  both  in  the 
Epiftles  to  the  Romans,  Galatians  and  Hebrews,  efpecial- 
ly  the  two  former,  the  gofpel  or  law  of  grace,  is  oppofed  to 
the  law  of  v/orks,  meaning  the  firft  covenant.  And  that  I 
may  fatisfy  you  of  this  without  entering  into  the  endlefs 
criiicifms  upon  particular  palTages,  obferve  that  thofe  who 
would  by  the  law,  underftand  the  law  of  Mofes,  exclufive 
of  the  covenantof  works,  may  be  eafily  confuted,  for  the 
Apoftle  fays,  ''  that  it  is  by  faith,  that  it  may  be  by  grace." 
— That  if  juftification  was  by  works,  Abraham  migrht 
have  whereof  to  glory  ;  and  that  th^  defign  of  this  conftir 
tution  was  that  no  tlefti  might  glory  in  God's  prefence. 
The  ceremonial  law  is  undoubtedly  abrogated  both  from 
the  exprefs  declaration  of  fcripture,  and  from  the  nature 
and  reafon  of  things — Chrift  is  now  the  end  of  the  law 
for  righteoufnefs  to  every  one  that  believeth.  And  as  the 
whole  fyftem  of  the  Mofaic  law  was  intended  to  r^-pify  the 
gofpel  difpenfation  when  Chrift  was  adluall)^  come  in  the 
lielh,  it  mull  fail  of  itfelf  as  unneceffary  or  hurtfuU 


Lectures  on  D'mnity'^  115^ 

There  has  been  much  controverfy  whether  it  was  pro- 
per to  iay  that  the  moral  law  was  abrogated,  or  to  ap[»1y 
to  that  law  what  is  faid  of  believers  not  being  under  the 
law  but  under  grace.  This  matter,  one  would  think, 
might  be  eafily  reconciled,  for  doubtlefs  the  moral  law  as 
a  covenani  of  works,  carrying  a  fentence  of  condemnati- 
on againll  every  tranfgreffion,  is  abrogated.  But  the  moral 
law  as  the  unalterable  rule  of  duty  to  creatures  is  antece- 
dent to  all  covenants,  and  cannot  be  afFed^ed  by  them* 
The  moral  law  as  it  requires  obedience  to  rhe  will,  and 
conformity  to  the  nature  of  God,  was  binding  on  the 
Angels  before  the  creation  of  the  world  ;  and  will  be  the 
duty  ot  holy  angels  and  redeemed  finners  after  the  re  fur- 
rection.  But  there  is  alfo  another  view  of  this  fubjctl— 
thai  the  moral  law  is  a  part  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  in 
the  hand  of  the  Mediator.  It  is  the  promife  of  the  cove- 
nant mat  the  law  Ihall  be  written  in  our  hearts,  an  un- 
feigned faitti  nnplies  the  acceptance  of  this  as  well  as  other 
proinilcs,  lo  that  the  believer  not  only  remains  under  his 
onguial  unchangeable  obligation  to  keep  the  law,  but 
coiues  under  a  new  and  peculiar  obligation  which  is  to  be 
dilenargcd  in  his  Redeemer's  ftrength  :  fo  that  to  take  tiiC 
thnig  properly,  there  is  more  obedience  in  the  covenant 
of  grace,  than  in  the  covenant  of  works.  The  covenant 
of  grace  requires  unfeigned  fubjedtion  to  every  part  of  the 
fame  law,  with  this  mortifying  addition,  that  the  believer 
receives  it  wholly  as  a  condition  of  his  acceptance,  and 
afcribes  it  entirely  to  the  riches  of  divine  grace. 

T.iere  is  Ibmetimes  mention  made  of  the  political  law 
of  Mofes,  and  it  is  demanded  whether  this  is  of  pepetu- 
al  obligation  ?  The  anfwer  feems  to  be  eafy.  It  con- 
tains an  excellent  fyllem  of  laws  fuited  to  the  fettlement 
of  the  Jews  in  Canaan,  and  many  principles  of  equity, 
that  may  be  of  great  ufe  to  other  legiflators  ;  but  as  the 
civil  laws  in  general  have  only  in  view  temporal  property 
and  convenience,  they  certainly  are  not  unalterable,  be- 
caufe  they  mud  be  fuited  to  the  ilate  of  fociety — and  other 
circumllances  which  may  be  very  various. — Sundry  of 
the  precepts  alfo  in  the  political  law  ieem  to  have  an  alle- 
gorical meaning,  and  to  have  been  made  either  with  a 


tio  Lectures  on  Dhhi Uy, 

view  of  fuggedlng  or  flrengthening  moral  principles,  or 
to  be  typical  of  gofpel  times — as  the  precept,  thou  flialt 
**  not  muzzle  the  ox  that  treadeth  out  the  corn,"  "  thou 
"  limit  not  feethe  the  kid  in  its  mother's  milk." — But  we 
may  obferve  that  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  criminal 
law  are  founded  upon  fo  much  wifdom,  that  it  is  a  quef- 
tion  whether  the  departure  from  them  in  punifhing  of 
crimes  has  eVer  been  attended  with  advantage.  As  foi* 
example,  in  regard  to  violence — the  law  of  retaliation-— 
an  eye  for  an  eye  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth — in  theft  and 
fraud — reftitution — and  the  punifliment  of  adultery  v/ith 
death. 

What  remains  upon  this  fubje6l  is  only  to  point  out  in 
what  manner  the  golpel  is  to  be  preached  agreeably  to  it, 
and  what  views  of  things  are  contrary  to  it.  To  let  this 
matter  before  you  with  as  much  diflinQnefs  and  propriety 
as  I  am  able,  obferve,  that  this  gracious  difpenfation  mufl 
be  opened  and  prefled  juft  as  it  is  fuited  to  the  various 
conditions  of  thofe  to  whom  it  is  addrefied — thefe  I  ihall 
divide  into  three  great  clafTes.  (i.)  Secure  or  felf- righte- 
ous perfons.  (2.)  Convinced  fmners.  (3.)  Profeffing  be* 
lievers. 

I.  Secure  or  felf-righteous  perfons,  who  do  not  feem 
to  have  ever  laid  their  eternal  concerns  to  heart,  or  are 
building  on  fome  falfe  foundation,  as  a  form  of  godlinefs^ 
or  the  merit  of  good  works,  or  the  comparative  fiuallnefs 
of  the  fins  of  which  they  are  guilty.  To  thefe  it  is  necef- 
fary  to  preach  the  law  in  all  its  extent,  and  in  all  the  force 
of  its  obligation.  It  is  neceffary  to  point  out  the  evil  of 
fin,  the  loft  Rate  of  man  by  nature  ;  and  the  abfolute  ne* 
ceflity  of  pardon  through  the  blood  of  Chrill  and  renova- 
tion by  his  fpirit.  It  may  be  very  proper  for  them  and 
all  others,  to  fhew  them  the  guilt  and  folly  of  particular 
lins,  fuch  as  fwearing,  drunkennefs,  uncleannefs.  But  if 
fomething  more  is  not  done,  the  evil  i;s  not  fearched  to 
the  bottom,  for  we  ought  to  fliew  them  that  thefe  are  but 
the  fruits  of  an  unrenewed  nature. — That  retraining, 
moderating,  or  even  reforming  a  particular  fm  is  not 
enough,  nor  any  evidence  of  a  change  from  fin  unto  God. 
It  is  particularly  proper  in  fuch  cafes  to  point  out  the 
extent  and  fpirituality  of  the  law,  as  reaching  to  tlie 


Lectures  on  Dhihhy,  121 

thdligkts  of  the  heart,  fo  as  if  pofTible  to  fhew  them  that 
they  are  guilty  and  helplefs,  and  that  there  is  no  falvati- 
on  in  any  but  in  Ghrill.     This  leads  us  to  fay, 

2.  That  with  regard  to  convinced  iinners,  it  is  very 
particularly  neceffary  to  fet  before  them  the  all-fufticiency 
ofChrift,  the  fulnefs  and  freenefs  oF  that  falvation  which 
he  purchafed  upon  the  crofs,  and  offers  in  his  word.  To 
fliew  them  that  he  has  finiflied  his  work,  and  done  every 
thing  neceffary  to  render  it  perfectly  confident  with  the 
juftice  and  holinefs  of  God  to  forgire  even  the  chief  of  fin- 
ners.  But  this  will  be  beft  illuflrated  by  pointing  out 
fome  fentiments  and  views  contrary  to  the  freenefs  of  faU 
vation,   and  the  plan  of  the  gofpel. 

(i)  It  is  contrary  to  the  freenefs  of  falvation  and  to  \\\t 
covenant  of  grace  to  extenuate  fin,  to  have  hard  thoughts 
of  God,  of  the  flri6lnefs  of  his  law,  or  the  feverity  ef  its 
fanclion.  This  arifes  from  imperfe6l  conviftion  of  fin 
which  fometimes  makes  the  finner  ufe  fome  efforts  to  ob- 
tain falvation  5  but  dill  he  is  apt  to  think  he  would  have 
very  hard  meafures  if  he  was  rejeded.  Imperfect  convic- 
tions lead  finners  to  feek  their  comfort  from  the  extenua- 
tion of  fin,  but  true  faith  incites  the  finner  to  give  full 
force  to  the  accufation,  and  to  plead  the  benefit  of  the  re- 
iniffion. 

(2)  It  is  contrary  to  the  freenefs  of  falvation  and  to  the 
tenor  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  to  think  that  the  greatnefs 
or  atrocioufnefs  of  fin  fhould  hinder  our  returning  to  God 
for  obtaining  mercy.  This  is  one  of  the  firfl  reflei^ions  of  a 
finner  under  conviftion,  that  he  has  finned  more  than  any 
other,  and  that  another  can  fooner  expecl  forgivenefs  than 
he.  While  this  only  fcrves  to  increafe  humiliation,  and 
rafe  to  the  foundation  every  degree  of  felf-confidence,  its 
operation  is  falutary.  But  fometimes  this  arifes  from  too 
tooted  an  adherence  to  fome  degree  of  human  merit  as  ne- 
ceffary to  find  favor  with  God,  and  then  inftead  of  com- 
pelling the  finner  to  reft  in  the  infinite  compaffion  of  God, 
it  makes  him  fall  upon  fome  fcheme  of  purchafing  falva- 
tion for  himfelf ;  or  if  he  finds  this  impradicable,  per- 
haps he  is  plunged  into  the  gulph  of  defpair.  In  oppofi- 
tion  to  this,  the  new  and  well  ordered  covenant  fends  him 

Vol.  IV.  (^ 


tit  ,  Lectures  on  Dmnity, 

to  the  infinite  fulnefs  of  Chrift  for  a  free  and  complete 
pardon,  and  for  deliverance  from  the  power  of  his  cor- 
ruptions. 

3.  it  is  contrary  to  the  freenefs  of  falvation  and  the 
covenant  of  grace,  to  have  any  dependence  on  one's  being 
comparatively  lefs  wicked  than  anoiher.  If  the  fmner's 
hope  Arifes  nmch  from  his  having  been  free  from  this  or 
thar  fin,  he  is  lellingon  a  legal  foundation.  This  was  a 
rock  of  perdition  to  the  Pharifees — See  how  the  Saviour 
lias  oppofed  this  charader  to  the  other,  Luke  xviii.  11. 
*^  The  Pnarifees  Hood  and  prayed,"  &c.  Not  that  God 
Would  reprefent  it  as  a  lefs  fate  Hate  to  attend  to  the  exer- 
cife  ot  religion  than  to  be  an  adulterer.  But  when  men 
re'f  their  dependance  on  their  comp  .rative  goodnefs  in 
themfelves,  it  only  ferves  to  lead  them  away  from  an 
elleem  and  acceptance  of  divine  mercy.  On  this  account 
our  Saviour  fays  to  the  Pharifees,  Matth.  xxi.  31.  "Ve- 
rily I  lay  unro  you,  the  Publicans,"  Sec,  The  fight  of 
a  great  profligate  deadens  the  fenfe  of  fin  in  the  minds  of 
many  worldly  perfons,  but  in  an  humble  penitent  it  only 
excites  him  to  reflect  upon  the  great  principles  of  all  fin  in 
his  own  heart,  and  what  he  might  have  been,^  had  not  a  re- 
{training  Providence  and  recovering  grace  been  his  prefer- 
vation. 

4.  It  is  contrary  to  the  freenefs  of  falvation  and  the  co- 
venant of  grace,  to  fuppofe  that  we  may  not,  or  muft  not, 
lay  hold  of  divine  mercy  till  we  have  done  fomething  our- 
fclves  in  the  way  ot  duty  and  performance  ;  till  our  peni- 
tential tears  or  purpofes  of  obedience,  or  begun  reforma- 
tion, entitle  us  to  call  it  ours.  No  doubt  felf-denial  and 
experience  of  the  treachery  of  our  own  hearts  fhould  fill  us 
with  humility  and  jealoufy  of  ourfelves  ;  but  the  true  way 
to  reconcile  the  heart  to  duty,  and  to  break  the  power  of 
fm  is  to  rell  our  hope  upon  Divine  Mercy  for  pardon,  and 
on  the  promile  m  the  covenant  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  fanc- 
tily  tis  wholly.  Many  retard  their  reformation  as  well 
as  obllrudl  their  comfort  by  yielding  to  a  fpirit  of  bondage 
and  flavilh  fear.  We  Ihould  rather  pray  in  the  words  of 
Zcchariah,  Luke  i.  74.     "  That  we  being  delivered,"  &c. 


Lectures  on  Dmnity,  123 

5.  It  is  contrary  to  the  frecnefs  of  falvation  and  the  co- 
venant ot  ^race  to  boa(l  of  our  own  rigliteoufnefs,  or  in 
any  degree  to  trull  in  our  own  llrength.  The  motto  of  a 
Chriflian  ibould  be  in  the  words  of  the  Prophet  Ifa.  xlv. 
24  ''Surely  (licill  one  fay,*'  &c.  It  is  not  merely  the 
pardon  of  fin,  but  the  fani^ification  of  the  nature  and 
llrength  tor  daily  obedience  that  is  promifcd  in  the  cove- 
nant ;  and  both  mull  be  received  from  the  Mediator's 
hiuid  and  afcribed  to  him  as  their  proper  fource.  It  is  an 
ad  inrable  expreflion  of  the  ApolUe  Paul,  who  fays,  ''  I 
*' obtained  mercy  to  be  faithful,"  accounting  that  a  fub- 
je6l  of  gratitude  and  a  mercy  received,  which  others  would 
have  reckoned  an  occafionof  boalling.  Nothing  is  more 
contrary  to  the  fpirit  of  the  gofpcl  than  felf  dependance, 
and  indeed  the  whole  fubllance  of  this  difpenfation  has 
been  defigned  to  abafe  the  pride  of  man,  and  to  exalt  the 
grace  of  God. 

To  profcfling  believers,  the  whole  duties  of  the  law  of 
God  are  to  be  preached,  for  believers  are  not  without  law 
to  God,  but  under  the  law  to  Chrifl.  The  laws  of  the 
gofpel  are  to  be  inculcated  as  the  fruits  of  faith,  and  the 
evidence  of  a  faving  change.  There  is  a  great  difTerence 
between  confidering  duties  as  goin^  before,  and  as  follow- 
ing faith  and  reconciliation  ;  the  firll  is  legal,  the  lad 
evangelical.  You  need  not  be  afraid  but  th.it  duties  may 
be  preac;ied  as  lindlly  in  the  lad  way  as  in  the  firil,  and  it 
will  certainly  be  done  with  much  greater  fafety. 


C   125   ] 


LETTERS 

ON 

EDUCATION. 


LETTER   L 


AFTER  fo  long  a  delay,  I  now  fet  myfelf  to  fulfil  my 
promife  of  writing  jto  you  a  few  thoughts  on  the 
education  of  children, — Though  I  cannot  wholly  purge 
myfelf  of  the  crimes  of  lazinefs  and  procrailination,  yet  I 
do  aflure  you,  what  contributed  not  a  little  to  its  being  hi- 
therto not  done,  was,  that  I  confidered  it  not  as  an  ordi- 
nary letter,  but  what  deferved  tobe  carefully  meditated  on, 
and  thoroughly  digefled.  The  concern  you  fhow  on  this 
fubjedt,  is  highly  commendable  :  for  there  is  no  part  of 
your  duty,  as  a  Chriflian,  or  a  citizen,  which  will  be  of 
greater  fervice  to  the  public,  or  a  fource  of  greater  com« 
fort  to  yourfelf. 

The  confequence  of  my  thinking  fo  long  upon  it,  before 
committing  my  thoughts  to  paper,  will  probably  be  the 
taking  the  thing  in  a  greater  compafs  than  either  of  us  at 
firfl  intended,  and  writing  a  feries  of  letters,  inilead  of  one. 
With  this  view  J  begin  with  a  preliminary  to  the  fucceff- 
ful  education  of  children,  viz.  that  huiband  and  wife  ought 
Jo  be  entirely  one  upon  this  fubjedt,  not  only  agreed  as  to 


X26  '         Letters  on  Education. 

the  end,  but  as  to  the  means  to  be  ufed,  and  the  plan  to 
be  followed,  in  order  to  attain  it.  It  ought  to  encourage 
you  to  proceed  in  your  defign,  that  I  am  perfuadtd  you 
will  not  only  meet  witfi  no  oppofition  to  a  rational  and 
ferious  education  of  your  children,  but  great  afliilance 
from  Mrs.  S ********* 

Theerdfed  hnrs  contained  a  compliment,  written  with 
great  fincerity  :  but  recoHeding  that  there  are  no  rules 
yet  fettled  for  diflin2[uifhing  true  compliment  from  flaite- 
ry,  1  have  blotted  them  out:  on  which,  perhaps,  you  will 
fay  to  yourfclf,  "  he  is  fulfilling  the  charader  which  his 
**  entmies  give  him,  who  fay,  it  is  the  nature  of  the  nma 
**  to  deal  much  more  in  fuire,  than  in  panegyric."  How- 
ever, I  content  niyfclfwith  repeating,  that  certainly  huf- 
band  and  wife  ought  to  confpire  and  co  operate  in  every 
thing  relating  to  the  education  of  their  children  ;  and  if 
their  opinions  happen,  in  any  particular,  to  be  different, 
they  ought  to  exannne  and  fettle  the  matter  privately  by 
thc^mfelves,  that  not  the  Icall  oppofition  may  appear  cither 
to  children  or  fervants.  When  this  is  the  cafe,  every 
thing  is  enforced  by  a  double  authority,  and  ret  omrnencU 
ed  by  a  double  example  :  but  wi-cn  it  is  otherwife,  the 
pains  taken  are  commonly  more  than  loft,  not  being  able 
to  do  any  good,  and  certainly  producing  very  much  evil. 

Be  pleafed  to  remeniber,  that  this  is  by  no  means  in- 
tenfled  againft  thofe  unhappy  couples,  who,  being  eflen- 
tially  different  in  principles  and  character,  live  in  a  ftate 
of  continual  war.  It  is  of  little  advantage  to  fpeak  either 
to.  or  of  fuch  perfons.  But  even  differences  incompara- 
bl}  fmaller,  are  of  very  bad  confequence  :  when  one,  for 
example,  thinks  a  child  may  be  carried  out,  and  the  other 
thinks  it  is  wrong;  when  one  thinks  a  way  of  fpeaking  is 
dangerous,  and  the  other  is  pofitive  there  is  nothing  in  it. 
The  lhin,i^s  themfelves  may  indeed  be  of  little  moment; 
but  the  want  of  concurrence  in  the  parents,  or  the  want  of 
mutual  eileem  and  deference,  eafily  obferved  even  by  very 
young  children,  is  of  the  greatell  importance. 

As  you  and  1  have  chiefly  in  view  the  religious  educa- 
tion  of  children,  I  take  it  to  be  an  excellent  preliminary 
that  parental  affeSlion  fhould  be  purified  by  the  principle* 


Letters  on  Education.  %%^ 

and  controled  or  dirt-ded  by  the  precepts  of  relip^ion.  A 
parent  fhould  rejoice  in  his  children,  as  they  are  the  ^nft 
of  a  gracious  God  ;  fhould  put  his  truft  in  the  care  of  an 
induleent  Providence  for  the  prefervation  of  his  offspring, 
as  well  as  himfelf ;  (hould  be  fupremely  dt  firous  that  they 
niay  be,  in  due  time,  the  heirs  of  eternal  life  ;  and,  as  he 
knows  the  abfolute  dcpendance  of  every  creature  upon  the 
will  of  God,  (hould  be  ready  to  refign  them  at  what  time 
his  Creator  (hall  fee  proper  to  demand  them.  This  hap. 
py  qualification  of  parental  tendernefs,  will  have  a  pow- 
erful  influence  in  preventing  miftakes  in  the  condudl  of 
education.  It  will  be  the  moll  powerful  of  all  incitements 
to  duty  and  at  the  lame  time  a  reftraint  upon  that  natural 
fondnefs  and  indulgence,  which,  by  a  fort  of  fafcination 
of  fatality,  makes  parents  often  do  or  permit  what  their 
judgment  condemns,  and  then  excufe  themfelves  by  fay- 
ing that  no  doubt  it  is  wrong,  but  truly  they  cannot  help  it. 

Another  preliminary  to  the  proper  education  of  chil- 
dren, is  a  firm  perfuafion  of  the  benefit  of  it,  and  the  pro- 
bable, at  lead,  if  not  certain  fuccefs  of  it,  when  faithfully 
and  prudently  condu6"\ed.  This  puts  an  edge  upon  the 
fpirit,  and  enables  the  chriftian  not  only  to  make  fome  at- 
tempts, but  to  perfevere  with  patience  and  diligence.  I 
know  not  a  comnion  faying  either  more  falfe  or  pernicious, 
than  '^  that  the  children  of  good  men  are  as  bad  as  others-'* 
This  faying  carries  in  it  a  fuppofition,  that  wheras  the 
force  of  education  is  confefied  with  refpedl  to  every  other 
human  charader  and  accomplifliment,  it  is  of  no  confe- 
qence  at  all  as  to  religion.  This,  I  think,  is  contrary  to 
daily  experience.  Where  do  we  expe6l  to  find  young 
perfons  pioufly  difpofed  but  in  pious  fan^iilies  ?  the  excep- 
tions, or  rather  appearances  to  the  contrary,  are  eafily  ac- 
counted for,  in  more  ways  than  one.  Many  perfons  ap- 
pear to  be  religious,  while  they  are  not  fo  in  reality,  but 
are  chiefly  governed  by  the  applaufe  of  men.  Hence 
their  vifible  condudl  may  be  fpecious,  or  their  public  per- 
formances applauded,  and  yet  their  families  be  negle^ed. 

It  mull  alfo  be  acknowledged  that  fome  truly  well  dif- 
pofed perfons  are  extremely  defedlive  or  imprudent  in 
this  part  of  their  duty,  and  therefore  it  is  no  wonder  that 
it  Ih^uld  not  fuccecd.     This  was  plainly  the  cafe  with 


Ixi  Letters  on  Educatiofh 

EH,  whofe  fons  we  are  told,  made  themfelves  vile,  and  hi 
reftrained  them  not.  However,  1  muft  obferve,  if  we  aU 
low  fuch  to  be  truly  good  men,  we  mufl:  at  the  fame  time 
confefs  that  this  was  a  great  drawback  upon  their  charac- 
ter ;  and  that  they  differed  very  much  from  the  father  of 
the  faithful,  who  had  this  honorable  teftimony  given  him 
by  God,  I  know  him,  that  he  will  command  his  children 
and  his  houfliold  after  him,  that  they  ferve  me.  To  this 
we  may  add,  that  the  child  of  a  good  man,  who  is  feen  to 
follow  diffolute  courfes,  draws  the  attention  of  mankind 
more  upon  him,  and  is  much  more  talked  of^  than  any 
other  perfon  of  the  fame  character.  Upon  the  whole,  it 
is  certainly  of  moment,  that  one  who  defires  to  educate 
his  children  in  the  fear  of  God,  fliould  do  it  in  a  humble 
perfuafion,  that  if  he  was  not  defective  in  his  own  duty,  he 
will  not  be  denied  the  blefling  of  fuccefs.  I  could  tell  you 
fome  remarkable  inftances  of  parents  who  feemed  to  labor 
in  vain  for  a  long  time,  and  yet  were  fo  happy  as  to  fee  a 
change  at  laft  ;  and  of  fome  children  in  whom  even  after 
the  death  of  the  parents,  the  feed  which  was  early  fown^ 
and  feemed  to  have  been  entirely  fmothered,  has  at  lall 
produced  fruit.  And  indeed  no  lefs  feems  to  follow  from 
the  promife,  annexed  to  the  command,  train  up  a  child  in 
the  way  he  Ihould  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  de- 
part from  it. 

Having  laid  down  thefe  preliminaries,  I  fliall  fay  a 
few  things  upon  the  prefervation  of  the  health  of  chil- 
dren. Perhaps  you  will  think  this  belongs  only  to  the 
phyfician  :  but  though  a  phyfician  ought  to  be  employed 
to  apply  remedies  in  dangerous  cafes,  any  man,  with  ^ 
little  refle^lion,  may  be  allowed  to  form  fome  judgment 
as  to  the  ordinary  means  of  their  prefervation  ;  nay,  I 
cannot  help  being  of  opinion,  than  any  other  man  is  fit- 
tcr  than  a  phyfician  for  this  purpofe.  His  thoughts  are 
fo  conffantly  taken  up  with  the  rules  jof  his  art,  that  it  is 
an  hundred  to  one  he  will  prefcribe  more  methods  and 
medicines  than  can  be  ufed  with  fafety. 

The  fundamental  rules  for  preferving  the  health  of 
children,  are  cleanlinefs,  liberty,  and  free  air.  By  clean* 
lincfs,  I  do  not  mean  keeping  the  ouiiide  of  their  clothes 


Letters  on  Education*  129 

in  a  proper  condition  to  be  feen  before  Company,  nor 
hindering  them  from  fouling  their  hands  and  feet,  when 
they  are  capable  of  going  abroad,  but  keeping  them  dry 
in  the  night  time,  when  youri^,  and  frequently  wafhing 
their  bodies  with  cold  water,  and  other  things  of  the  fame 
nature  and  tendency.  The  fecond  rule  is  liberty.  All 
perfons  young  and  old,  love  liberty  :  and  as  far  as  it  does 
them  no  harm,  it  v/ill  certainly  do  them  good.  Many  aL 
free  born  fubject  is  kept  a  flave  for  the  fir  (I  ten  years  of 
his  life  ;  and  is  fo  much  handled  and  carried  about  by 
women  in  his  infancy,  that  the  limbs  and  other  parts  of 
his  body,  are  frequently  milhcipen,  iand  the  whole  very 
much  weakened ;  befides,  the  fpirits,  when  under  con- 
iinement,  are  generally  in  a  dull  and  languifhing  (late. 
The  belt  exercile  in  the  world  for  children,  is  to  let  therrt 
Tomp  and  jump  about  as  foon  as  they  are  able,  according 
to  their  ovvn  fancy.  This  in  the  country  is  bed  done  in 
the  fields  ;  in  a  city  a  well  aired  room  is  better  than  being 
fent  into  the  ftreets  under  the  care  of  a  fervant,  very  few 
of  whom  are  able  fo  far  to  curb  their  own  inclinations,  as 
to  let  the  children  follow  theirs,  even  where  they  may  do 
it  with  fafety.  As  to  free  air,  there  is  nothing  more  ef- 
fentially  neceffary  to  the  ftrength  and  growth  of  animak 
an  1  plants.  If  a  few  plants  of  any  kind  are  fown  in  a 
clofe  confined  place,  they  commonly  grow  tip  tall^  fmall, 
and  very  weak.  1  have  {ttn  a  bed  of  beans  in  a  'garden, 
tinder  the  fhade  of  a  hedge  or  tree,  very  long  and  (lender, 
which  brought  to  my  mind  a  young  family  of  quality, 
trained  up  in  a  delicate  manner,  who  if  they  grow  at  all, 
grow  to  length,  but  never  to  thicknefs.  So  univerfal  is 
this,  that  I  believe  the  body  of  a  fturdy  or  well  built  make, 
is  reckoned  among  them  a  coarfe  and  vulgar  thing. 

There  is  one  thing  with  regard  to  fervants,  that  I  would 
particularly  recommend  to  your  attention.  All  children 
are  liable  to  accidents ;  thefe  may  happen  unavoidably  ; 
but  do  generally  arife  from  the  ^rarelefTnefs  of  fervants,  and 
to  this  they  are  almoft  always  attributed  by  parents.  This 
difpofes  all  fervants,  good  or  bad,  to  conceal  them  from 
the  parents,  when  they  can  polTibly  do  it.     By  this  means 

Vol.  IV.  R  I 


ijd  Letters  on  Education. 

children  often  receive  hurts  in  falls  or  otherwife,  which 
if  known  in  time,  might  be  eafily  remedied,  but  not  being 
known  either  prove  fatal,  or  make  them  lame  or  deform- 
ed. A  near  relation  of  mine  has  a  high  fhoulder  and  a  dif- 
torted  vvaift,  from  this  very  caufe.  To  prevent  fuch  ac- 
cidents, it  is  neceffary  to  take  all  pains  poffible  to  acquire 
the  confidence  of  fervants,  to  convince  them  of  the  necef- 
fity  of  concealing  nothing.  There  are  two  difpofitions  in 
parents,  which  hinder  the  fervants  from  making  difcove- 
ries ;  the  firfl  is  when  they  are  very  paffionate,  and  apt 
to  ftorm  and  rage  againft  their  fervants,  for  every  real  or 
fuppofed  negledt.  Such  perfons  can  never  expedt  a  con- 
feflion,  which  muft  be  followed  by  fuch  terrible  vengeance. 
The  other  is,  when  they  are  tender-hearted  or  timorous 
to  excefs,  which  makes  them  fhow  themfelves  deeply  af- 
fedled  or  greatly  terrified  upon  any  little  accident  that 
befals  their  children.  In  this  cafe,  the  very  beft  fervants 
are  unwilling  to  tell  them  through  fear  of  making  them 
miferable.  In  fuch  cafes,  therefore,  1  would  advife  parents, 
whatever  may  be  their  real  opinions,  to  difcover  them  as 
little  as  poffible  to  their  fervants.  Let  them  flill  incul- 
cate this  maxim,  that  there  lliould  be  no  fecrets  concern- 
ing children,  kept  from  thofe  moil  nearly  interelled  in 
them.  And  that  there  may  be  no  temptation  to  fuch 
conduct,  let  them  always  appear  as  cool  and  compofed  as 
poffible,  when  any  difcovery  is  made,  and  be  ready  to 
forgive  a  real  fault,  in  return  for  a  candid  acknowledg- 
ment. 


LETTER   II. 

IF  I  miftake.not,  my  lall  letter  was  concluded  by  fome 
remarks  on  the  means  of  trying  fervants  to  be  careful 
of  the  fafety  of  children,  and  ready  to  difcover  early  and 
honeftly  any  accidents  that  might  happen  to  befal  them. 
I  m«ufi:^ake  fome  farther  remarks  upon  fervants.  It  is 
%  fubjed  of  great  importance,  and  inseparably  connedled 
with  what  I  have  undertaken.  You  will  find  it  extremely 


Letters  on  Educatloni  ijt 

difficult  to  educate  children  properly,  if  the  fervants  of 
the  family  do  not  confpire  in  it ;  and  impofTible,  if  they 
are  inclined  to  hinder  it.  In  fuch  a  cafe,  the  orders  iflued, 
or  the  method  laid  down,  will  be  negledled,  where  that  is 
poflible  and  fafe  ;  where  negled  is  unfafe,  they  will  be 
unfuccefsfully  or  improperly  executed,  and  many  times, 
in  the  hearing  of  the  children,  they  will  be  either  laughed 
at,  or  complained  of  and  difapproved.  The  certain  con- 
fequence  of  this  is,  that  children  will  infenfibly  come  to 
look  upon  the  diredions  and  cautions  of  their  parents,  as 
unneceffary  or  unreafonable  reflraints.  It  is  a  known 
and  very  common  way  for  fervants,  to  infmuate  them- 
felves  into  the  afFedlions  of  children,  by  granting  them 
fuch  indulgences  as  would  be  refufed  themiDy  their  pa- 
rents, as  well  as  concealing  the  faults  which  ought  to  be 
punifhed  by  parents,  and  they  are  often  very  fuccefsful 
in  training  them  up  to  a  mod  dangerous  fidelity  in  keep- 
ing the  fecret. 

Such  is  the  evil  to  be  feared,  which  ought  to  have  been 
more  largely  defcribed  :  let  us  now  come  to  the  remedy. 
The  foundation,  to  be  fure,  is  to  be  very  nice  and  careful 
in  the  choice  of  fervants.  This  is  commonly  thought  to 
be  an  extremely  difficult  matter,  and  we  read  frequently 
in  public  papers  the  heavieft  complaints  of  bad  fervants. 
I  ams  however,  one  of  thofe  who  think  the  fault  is  at  leaft 
as  often  in  the  mailers.  Good  fervants  may  certainly  be 
had,  and  do  generally  incline  of  themfelves  to  be  in  good 
families,  and  when  they  find  that  they  are  fo,  do  often  con- 
tinue very  long  in  the  fame,  without  defiring  to  remove. 
You  ought,  therefore,  to  be  exceedingly  fcrupulous,  and 
not  without  an  evident  neceffity,  to  hire  any  fervant  but 
who  feems  to  be  fober  and  pious.  Indeed,  I  flitter  myfelf, 
that  a  pious  family  is  fuch,  as  none  but  one  who  is  either 
a  faint  or  a  hypocrite  will  be  fuppofed  to  continue  in.  \i 
any  fymptoms  of  the  laft  character  appears,  you  neen  dot 
be  told  what  you  ought  to  do. 

The  next  thing,  after  the  choice  of  fervants,  is  to  mak^ 
confcience  of  doing  your  duty  to  them,  by  example,  in- 
ftrudlion,  admonition  and  prayer.  Your  fidelity  to  them 
will  naturally  produce  in  them  fidelity  to  you  and  yours^ 


Xi^i  Letters  on  Education, 

and  that  upon  the  very  beft  principles.  It  wiH  excite  in 
them  a  deep  fenfe  of  gratitude,  and  at  the  fame  time  fill 
them  with  fentiments  of  the  higheft  and  moft  unfeigned 
cfteem.  I  could  tell  you  of  inflances  (you  will  however 
probably  recolle6l  fome  yourfelf)of  fervants  who  from  their 
living  comfortably,  and  receiving  benefits  in  pious  fami- 
lies, have  preferved  fuch  a  regard  and  attachment  to  their 
mafters,  as  have  been  little  fliort  of  idolatry.  I  fliall  jud 
mention  one— a  worthy  woman  in  this  place,  formerly 
fervant  to  one  of  my  predeceffors,  and  marritd  nuuiy 
years  fince  to  a  thriving  tradefman,  continues  to  have  iuch 
an  undiminifhed  regard  to  her  mailer's  memory,  thai  ihe 
cannot  fpeak  of  him  without  delight ;  keeps  by  her  to  this 
hour  the  newfpaper  which  gives  an  account  of  his  death 
and  character,  and,  I  believe,  v/ould  not  exchange  it  for 
a  bill  or  bond,  for  a  very  confiderable  fum. 

But  the  third  and  fini/Hing  dircdion  with  regard  to  fer- 
vants, is  to  convince  them,  in  a  cool  and  difpalTionate 
manner,  of  the  reafonablenefs  of  your  method  of  pro- 
ceeding, that  as  it  is  dictated  by  confciepce,  it  is  con- 
du6led  with  prudence.  Thence  it  is  eafy  to  reprefent  to 
them  that  it  is  their  duty,  inflead  of  hindering  its  fuccefs 
by  oppofition  or  negligence,  to  co-operate  with  it  to  the 
utmoft  of  their  power.  It  is  not  below  -any  man  to  reafon 
in  fome  cafes  with  his  fervants.  There  is  a  way  of  fpeak- 
ing  to  them  on  fuch  fubje£ls,  by  which  you  will  lofe  no- 
thing of  your  dignity,  but  even  corroborate  your  autho- 
rity. While  you  manifeft  your  firm  refolution,  never  to 
depart  from  your  right  and  title  to  command  :  you  may, 
notwithftanding,  at  proper  feafons,  and  by  way  of  con- 
defcenfion,  give  fuch  general  reafons  for  your  condu£l:,  as 
to  (how  that  you  are  not  ading  by  mere  caprice  or  hu- 
mor. Nay,  even  while  you  fometimes  infill,  that  your 
command  of  itfelf  fhall  be  a  law,  and  that  you  will  not 
fuffer  it  to  be  difputed,  nor  be  obliged  to  givp  a  reafon  for 
it,  you  may  eafily  fhow  them  that  this  alfo  is  reafonable. 
They  may  be  told  that  you  have  the  greatefl  intereli  in  the 
welfare  of  your  children,  the  beft  opportunity  of  being 
apprifed  as  to  the  means  of  profecuting  it,  and  that  there 


'    Letters  en  Education,  x^f 

piay  be  many  reafons  for  your  orders,  which  it  is  unne^ 
jCefTary  or  improper  for  them  to  know. 

Do  not  think  that  all  this  is  excellive  refinement,  chi- 
merical or  impoflible.  Servants  are  reafonable  creatures,  ' "'"'[ 
and  are  bed  governed  by  admixture  of  authority  and  rea-  ' 
fon.  They  are  generally  delighted  to  find  themfelves 
treated  as  reafonable,  and  will  fometimes  difcover  a  pride 
in  ihowlng  that  they  undenland,  as  well  as  find  a  plea- 
fure  in  entering  into  your  views.  When  they  find,  as 
they  will  every  day  by  experience,  the  fucccfs  and  benefit 
of  a  proper  method  of  education,  it  will  give  them  a  high 
opinion  of,  and  confidence  in  your  judgment ;  they  will 
frequently  confult  you  in  their  own  affairs,  as  well  as 
implicity  follow  your  directions  in  the  management  of 
yours.  After  all,  the  very  higheft  inllance  of  tT*ue  great- 
nefs  of  mind,  and  the  befi  fuppoit  of  your  authority,  when 
you  fee  necefiary  to  interpofe  it,  is  not  to  be  opiniona- 
tive  or  cbilinate,  but  willing  to  acknowledge  or  remit  a 
real  miftake,  if  it  is  difcreetly  pointed  out,  even  by  thofe 
in  the  lowed  ftations.  The  application  of  thefe  reflexions 
will  occur  in  feveral  of  the  following  branches  of  this  fub- 
je6t. 

The  next  thing  I  (hall  mention  as  neceflary,  in  order 
to  the  education  of  children,  is,  to  ellablifii  as  foon  as 
pofiTible,  an  entire  and  abfolute  authority  over  them. 
This  is  a  part  of  the  fubje6l  which  requires  to  be  treated 
with  great  judgment  and  delicacy.  1  wifh  I  may  be  able 
to  do  fo.  Opinions,  like  modes  and  falhions,  change 
continually  upon  every  point ;  neither  is  it  eafy  to  keep 
the  jult  middle,  without  verging  to  one  or  other  of  the  ex- 
tremes. On  this,  in  pc.rticular,  we  have  gone  in  this  na- 
tion in  general,  from  one  extreme  to  the  very  utmofl  li- 
mits of  the  other.  In  the  former  age,  both  public  and  pri- 
vate, learned  and  religious  education  was  carried  on  by 
mere  dint  of  authority.  This,  to  be  fure,  was  a  favage 
and  barbarous  method,  and  was  in  many  inffances  terri- 
ble and  difguIVmg  to  the  youth.  Now,  on  the  other  hand, 
not  only  feverity,  but  authority,  is  often  decried ;  perfua- 
fion,  and  every  foft  and  gentle  method,  is  recommended, 
en  fuch  terms  as  plainly  lead  to  a  relaxation.     I  hope  yot; 


$34  Letters  on  Educatioff* 

will  be  convinced  that  the  middle  way  is  beft,  when  you 
iind  it  is  recommended  by  the  fpirit  of  God  in  his  word, 
Prov.  xiii.  24.  xix.  18.  xxii.  15,  You  will  alfo  find  a 
caution  againft  excefs  in  this  matter,  Col.  ii.  21. 

I  have  faid  above,  that  you  fhould  *'e(lablifh  as  foon 
as  poflible  an  entire  and  abfolute  authority."  I  would 
have  it  early,  that  it  may  be  abfolute,  and  abfolute  that  it 
may  r\o\  be  fevere.  If  parents  are  too  long  in  beginning 
to  exert  their  authority,  they  will  find  the  tallc  very  diffi- 
cult. Children,  habituated  to  indulgence  for  a  few  of  their 
£rfl  years,  are  exceedingly  impatient  of  redraint,  and 
if  they  happen  to  be  of  fliff  or  obftinate  tempers,  can 
hardly  be  brought  to  an  entire,  at  leaft  to  a  quiet  and  pla- 
cid fubmifllon ;  whereas,  if  they  are  taken  in  time,  there 
is  hardly  any  temper  but  what  may  be  made  to  yield,  and 
by  early  habit  the  fubjedion  becomes  quite  eafy  to 
themfelves. 

The  authority  ought  alfo  to  be  absolute,  that  it  may  n(5t 
be  fevere.  The  more  complete  and  uniform  a  parent's 
authority  is,  the  offences  will  be  more  rare,  punifhment 
will  be  lefs  needed,  and  the  more  gentle  kind  of  correc- 
tion will  be  abundantly  fufBcient,  We  fee  every  where 
about  us  examples  of  this.  A  parent  that  has  once  ob- 
tained, and  knows  how  to  preferve  authority,  will  do  more 
by  a  look  of  difpleafure,  than  another  by  the  mofl  paf- 
fionate  words  and  even  blows.  It  holds  univerfally  in 
families  and  fchools,  and  even  the  greater  bodies  of  men, 
the  army  and  navy,  that  thofe  who  keep  the  Ilridefl:  difci- 
pline,  give  the  fewefl  ftrokes.  I  have  frequently  remark- 
ed that  parents,  even  of  the  fofteft  tempers,  and  who  are 
famed  for  the  greateft  indulgence  to  their  children,  diO^ 
notwithflanding,  corred  them  more  frequently,  and  even 
more  feverely,  though  to  very  little  purpofe,  than  thofe 
who  keep  up  their  authority.  The  reafon  is  plain.  Chil- 
dren, by  foolifh  indulgence,  become  often  fo  froward  and 
petulant  in  their  tempers,  that  they  provoke  their  eafy  pa- 
rents pad  all  endurance  ;  fo  that  they  are  obliged,  if  not 
to  flrike,  at  leaft  to  fcold  them,  in  a  manner  as  little  to 
their  own  credit,  as  their  children's  profit. 


Letters  on  Education,  \%^ 

T^here  is  not  a  more  difgufling  fight  than  the  impotent 
rage  of  a  parent  who  has  no  authority.  Among  the  lower 
ranks  of  people,  who  are  under  no  reftraint  from  decency, 
you  may  fometimcs  fee  a  father  or  mother  running  out  in- 
to the  ftreet  after  a  child  who  is  fled  from  them,  with  looks 
of  fury  and  words  of  execration  ;  and  they  are  often  flu- 
pid  enough  to  imagine  that  neighbors  or  pafTengers  will 
approve  them  in  this  conduct,  though  in  fa6l  it  fills  every 
beholder  with  horror.  There  is  a  degree  of  the  fame  fault 
to  be  feen  in  perfons  of  better  rank,  though  expreffing  itfelf 
fomewhat  differently.  Ill  words  and  altercations  will  often 
fall  out  between  parents  and  children  before  company  ;  a 
fure  fign  that  there  is  defed  of  government  at  home  or  in 
private.  The  parent  flung  with  fhame  at  the  mifbehavior 
or  indifcretion  of  the  child,  defires  to  perfuade  the  obfervers 
that  it  is  not  his  fault,  and  thereby  effe^ually  convinces 
every  perfon  of  refledlion  that  it  is, 

I  would  therefore  recommend  to  every  parent  to  begin 
the  eflablifhment  of  authority  much  more  early  than  is 
commonly  fuppofed  to  be  pofTible  :  that  is  to  fay,  from 
about  the  age  of  eight  or  nine  months.  You  will  perhaps 
fmile  at  this :  but  I  do  aflure  you  from  experience,  that 
by  fetting  about  it  with  prudence,  deliberation,  and  atten- 
tion,  it  may  be  in  a  manner  completed  by  the  age  of 
twelve  or  fourteen  months.  Do  not  imagine  I  mean  to 
bid  you  ufe  the  rod  at  that  age  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  mean 
to  prevent  the  ufe  of  it  in  a  great  meafure,  and  to  point 
out  a  way  by  which  children  of  fvveet  and  eafy  tempers 
may  be  brought  to  fuch  a  habit  of  compliance,  as  never  to 
need  corredlion  at  all  ;  and  whatever  their  temper  may 
be,  fo  much  lefs  of  this  is  fufficient,  than  upon  any  other 
fuppofition.  This  is  one  of  my  favourite  fchemes  ;  let 
me  try  to  explain  and  recommend  it. 

Habits  in  general  may  be  very  early  formed  in  chil- 
dren. An  aflbciation  of  ideas  is,  as  it  were,  the  parent 
of  habit.  If  then,  you  can  accuflom  your  children  to  per- 
ceive that  your  will  mull  always  prevail  over  theirs,  when 
they  are  oppofed,  the  thing  is  done,  and  they  will  fubmit 
to  it  without  difficulty  or  regret.  To  bring  this  about,  as 
foon  as  they  begin  to  fhow  their  inclination  by  defire  or 
avcrfion,  let  fingle  inflances  be  chofen  now  and  then  (not 


13^  Letters  on  Educathi^. 

too  frequently)  to  contradi£l  them.  For  example,  if  i 
child  Ihovvs  a  defire  to  have  any  thing  in  his  hand  that  he 
fees,  or  has  any  thing  in  his  hand  with  which  he  is  delight* 
^d,  let  the  parent  take  it  from  him^  and  when  he  does  fo, 
let  no  confideration  whatever  make  him  rellore  it  at  that 
time.  Then  at  a  confiderable  interval,  perhaps  a  whole 
day  is  little  enough,  efpecially  at  firft,  let  the  fame  thing 
be  repeated.  In  the  mean  time,  it  muft  be  carefully  ob- 
ferved,  that  no  attempt  (hould  be  made  to  contradi6l  the 
child  in  the  intervals.  Not  the  lead  appearance  of  oppofi- 
tion,  if  poffible,  fhould  be  found  between  the  will  of  thei 
parent  and  that  of  the  child,  except  in  thofe  chofen  cafes 
when  the  parent  mull  always  prevail. 

I  think  it  neceffary  that  thofe  attempts  fliould  always  be 
made  and  repeated  at  proper  intervals  by  the  fame  perfon. 
It  is  alfo  better  it  fliould  be  by  the  father  than  the  mother 
or  any  female  attendant,  becaufe  they  will  be  neceffarily 
obliged  in  many  cafes  to  do  things  difpleafmg  to  the  child, 
as  in  dreffmg,  walhing,  &c.  which  fpoil  the  operation  ; 
neither  is  it  neceflary  that  they  fhould  interpofe,  for  when 
once  a  full  authority  is  ellablifhed  in  one  perfon,  it  can 
eafily  be  communicated  to  others,  as  far  as  is  proper.  Re- 
men^ber,  however,  that  mother  or  nurfe  fliould  never  pre- 
fume  to  condole  with  the  child,  or  fliow  any  figns  of  difi 
pleafure  at  his  being  crolTed ;  but  on  the  contrary,  give 
every  mark  of  approbation,  and  of  their  own  fubmiflioni 
to  the  fame  perfon. 

This  experiment  frequently  repeated  will  in  a  little 
time  fo  perfectly  habituate  the  child  to  yield  to  the  parent 
whenever  he  interpofes,  that  he  will  make  no  oppofition* 
I  can  aifure  you  from  experience,  having  literally  pradli- 
fed  this  method  myfelf,  that  I  never  had  a  child  of  twelve 
months  old,  but  who  would  fuiFer  me  to  take  any  thing 
from  him  or  her,  without  the  leaft  mark  of  anger  or  dif- 
iatisfadlion  ;  while  they  would  not  fuffer  any  other  to  do 
fo  without  the  bitterefl;  complaints.  You  will  eafily  per- 
ceive how  this  is  to  be  extended  gradually  and  univerfally, 
irom  one  thing  to  another,  from  contradicting  to  com- 
manding them.  But  this,  and  feveral  other  remarks  up. 
on  eRabliihing  and  preferving  authorityj  niufl  be  referred 
to  another  letter. 


i.e Iters  on  Education,  i^i 

LETTER    IIL 

Dear  Sir. 

THE  theot-y  laid  down  in  my  laft  letter,  for  eftablifl^ 
iiig  an  early  and  abfoUite  authority  over  children, 
is  of  much  greater  moment  than,  perhaps,  you  will  imme- 
diately apprehend.  There  is  a  great  diverfity  in  the  tem- 
per and  difpofition  of  children;  and  no  lefs  in  the  pene- 
tration, prudence  and  refolution  of  parents.  From  all 
thefe  circumftances,  difficulties  arife,  which  increafe  ve- 
ry fall  as  the  work  is  delayed.  Some  children  have  natu- 
rally very  llilF  and  obftinate  tempers,  and  fome  have  a  cer- 
tain pride,  or  if  you  pleafe,  greatnefs  of  mindj  which 
makes  them  think  it  a  mean  thing  to  yield.  This  difpo- 
fition is  often  greatly  llrengthened  in  thofe  of  high  birth^ 
by  the  ideas  of  their  own  dignity  and  importance,  inllilled 
into  them  from  their  mother's  milk.  I  have  known  a  boy 
not  fix  years  of  age,  who  made  it  a  point  of  honor  not  to 
cry  when  he  was  beat,  even  by  his  parents.  Other  chil- 
dren have  fo  (Irong  paflions,  or  fo  great  fenfibility,  that  if 
they  receive  corredion,  they  will  cry  immoderately,  and 
either  be,  or  feem  to  be,  affedled  to  fuch  a  degree,  as  to  en- 
danger their  health  or  life.  Neither  is  it  uncommon  for 
the  parents  in  fuch  a  cafe  to  give  up  the  point,  and  if  they 
do  not  afk  pardon,  at  leaft  they  give  very  genuine  marks 
of  repentance  and  forrow  for  what  they  have  done. 

I  have  faid  this  is  not  uncommon,  but  I  may  rather  alk 
you  whether  you  know  any  parents  at  all,  who  have  fo 
much  prudence  and  firmnefs  as  not  to  be  difcouragcd  in 
the  one  cafcj  or  to  relent  in  the  other  ?  At  the  fame  time 
it  mud  always  be  remembered,  that  the  corredlion  is  whol* 
ly  loft  which  does  not  produce  abfolute  fubmiffion.  Per- 
haps [  may  fay  it  is  more  than  loft,  becaufe  it  will  irritate 
inftead  of  reforming  them,  and  will  inftru(fl  or  perfe(^ 
them  in  the  art  of  overcoming  their  parents,  which  they 
will  not  fail  to  manifeft  on  a  future  opportunity.     It  is  fur- 

VOL.  IV.  S 


1^8  Letters  on  Education. 

prifing  tc7  think  how  early  children  will  dlfcover  the  weak 
fide  of  their  parents,  and  what  ingenuity  they  will  ihow  in 
obtaining  their  favor  or  avoiding  their  difpleafure.  I  think 
I  have  obferved  a  child  in  treaty  or  expoftulation  with  a 
parent,  difcover  more  confummate  policy  at  feven  years 
of  age,  than  the  parent  him felf,  even  when  attempting  to 
cajole  him  with  artful  evafions  and  fpecious  promifes. 
On  all  thefe  accounts,  it  mull  be  a  vaft  advantage  that  a 
habit  of  fubmiffion  fhould  be  brought  on  fo  early,  that  even 
memory  itfelf  fliall  not  be  able  to  reach  back  to  its  begin- 
ning, tfnlefs  this  is  done,  there  are  many  cafes  in  which, 
after  the  beil  management,  the  authority  will  be  imper- 
fect ;  and  fome  in  which  any  thing  that  deferves  that  name 
will  be  impoffible.  There  are  fome  families,  not  contemp- 
tible either  in  Ration  or  charadler,  in  which  the  parents 
are  literally  and  properly  obedient  to  their  children,  are 
forced  to  do  things  againil  their  will,  and  chidden  if  they 
difcover  the  leaft  backwardnefs  to  comply.  If  you  know 
none  fuch,  I  am  fure  I  do. 

Let  us  nov/  proceed  to  the  beft  means  of  preferving  au- 
thority, and  the  way  in  which  it  ought  to  be  daily  exer- 
cifed.  I  will  trace  this  to  its  very  fource.  Whatever  au- 
thority you  exercife  over  either  children  or  fervants,  or  as 
a-  magillrate  over  other  citizens,  it  ought  to  be  di6tated  by 
confcience,  and  diredted  by  a  fenfe  of  duty.  Pafiion  or 
refentment  ought  to  have  as  little  place  as  poflible  ;  or  ra- 
ther, to  fpeak  properly,  though  few  can  boaft  of  having 
arrived  at  full  perfedlion,  it  ought  to  have  no  place  at  all. 
Reproof  or  correction  given  in  a  rage,  is  always  confider- 
ed  by  him  to  v/hom  it  is  adminiilered,  as  the  efFe£t  of 
\veaknefs  in  you,  and  therefore  the  demerit  of  the  offence 
will  be  either  wholly  denied  or  foon  forgotten.  I  have 
heard  fome  parents  often  fay,  that  they  cannot  corre(5t 
their  children  unlefs  they  are  angry  ;  to  whom  I  have 
ufually  anfvvered,  then  you  ought  not  to  correct  them 
at  alL  Every  one  would  be  fenfible,  that  for  a  magif- 
trate  to  difcover  an  intemperate  rage  in  pronouncing  fen- 
tence  againll  a  criminal,  would  be  highly  indecent.  Ought 
not  parents  to  punifli  their  children  in  the  fame  difpafli- 
onate  manner  \  Ought  they  not  to  be  at  leaft  equally  con- 


Letters  on  Educationl  f};^ 

earned  to  dlfcharge  their  duty  m  the  bed  manner,  one 
cafe  as  in  the  other  ? 

He  who  would  preferve  his  authority  over  his  children,  t 
fhould  be  particularly  watchful  of  his  own  condu<^.  You 
may  as  well  pretend  to  force  people  to  love  what  is  not 
amiable,  as  to  reverence  what  is  not  refpedable.  A  de- 
cency of  condu6l,  therefore,  and  dignity  of  deportment,  is 
highly  ferviceable  for  the  purpofe  we  have  now  in  view. 
Left  this,  however,  lliould  be  millaken,  I  muft  put  in  4 
caution,  that  I  do  not  mean  to  recommend  keeping  chil- 
dren  at  too  great  a  diftance  by  a  uniform  flernnefs  and 
feverity  of  carriage.  This,  I  think,  is  not  necellliry,  even 
when  they  are  young  ;  and  it  may,  to  children  of  fomc 
tempers,  be  very  hurtful  when  they  are  old.  By  and  by 
you  fhall  receive  from  me  a  quite  contrary  diredion.  But 
by  dignity  of  carriage,  I  mean  parents  Ihowing  themfelves 
always  cool  and  reafonable  in  their  own  conduct ;  pru- 
dent and  cautious  in  their  converfation  with  regard  to  the 
reft  of  mankind  ;  not  fretful  or  impatient,  or  paffionately 
fond  of  their  own  peculiarities  ;  and  though  gentle  and 
afFedlionate  to  their  children,  yet  avoiding  levity  in  their 
prefenee.  This  probably  is  the  meaning  of  the  precept 
of  the  ancients,  inaxima  debetur  pueris  reiierentia.  I 
would  have  them  chearful,  yet  ferene.  In  fhort,  I  would 
have  their  familiarity  to  be  evidently  an  a6l  of  condefcen- 
fion.  Believe  it,  my  dear  fir,  that  which  begets  efteem,  - 
will  not  fail  to  produce  fubjecVion. 

That  this  may  not  be  carried  too  far,  I  would  recom- 
mend every  expreffion  of  afFeclion  and  kindnefs  to  chil- 
dren when  it  is  fafe,  that  is  to  fay,  when  their  behaviour 
is  fuch  as  to  deferve  it.  There  is  no  oppofition  at  all  be-  . 
tween  parental  tendernefs  and  parental  authority.  They 
are  the  bed  fupports  to  each  other.  It  is  not  only  lawful, 
but  will  be  of  fervice,that  parents  fliould  difcover  the  great* 
eft  fondnefs  for  children  in  i4ifancy,  and  make  them  per. 
ceive  diftindly  with  how  much  pleafure  they  gratify  all 
their  innocent  inclinations.  This,  however,  muft  al- 
ways  be  done  when  they  are  quiet,  gentle,  and  fubmifTive 
in  their  carriage.  Some  have  found  fault  with  giving 
tliem,  for  doing  well,  little  rewards  of  fweet-meat?  ami 


140  Z^tters  on  Education'. 

play-things, as  tending  to  make  them  mercenary,and  lead- 
ing them  to  look  upon  the  indulgence  of  appetite  as  the 
chief  good.  This  I  apprehend,  is  rather  refining  too  much ; 
the  great  point  is,  that  they  be  rewarded  for  doing  good, 
and  not  for  doing  evil.  When  they  are  crofs  and  froward, 
I  would  never  buy  peace,  but  force  it.  Nothing  can  be 
more  weak  and  foolifli,  or  more  deftruclive  of  authority, 
than  when  children  are  noify  and  in  an  ill  humor,  to  give 
them  or  prqmife  them  fomething  to  appeafe  them.  When 
the  Roman  emperors  began  to  give  penfions  and  fubfidies 
to  the  Northern  nations  to  keep  them  quiet,  a  man  might 
have  forefeen  without  the  fpirit  of  prophecy,  who  would 
be  mafter  in  a  httle  time.  The  cafe  is  exadly  the  fame 
with  children.  They  will  foon  avail  themfclves  of  this 
eafmefs  in  their  parents,  command  favors  inflead  of  beg- 
ging them,  and  be  infolent  when  they  Ihould  be  grateful. 

The  fame  condu6l  ought  to  be  uniformly  preferved  as 
children  advance  in  years  and  underflanding.  Let  pa- 
rents try  to  convince  them  how  much  they  have  their  real 
intereft  at  heart.  Sometimes  children  will  make  a  re- 
queft,  and  receive  a  hafly  or  froward  denial :  yet  upon 
reflexion  the  thing  appears  not  to  be  unreafonable,  and 
finally  it  is  granted ;  and  whether  it  be  right  or  wrong, 
fometimes  by  the  force  of  importunity,  it  is  extorted.  If 
parents  expedt  either  gratitude  or  fubmiffion  for  favors  fo 
ungracioully  bedowed,  they  will  find  themfelves  egregi- 
oufly  miftaken.  It  is  their  duty  to  profecute,  and  it  ought 
to  be  their  comfort  to  fee,  the  happinefs  of  their  children  ; 
and  therefore  they  ought  to  lay  it  down  as  a  rule,  never  to 
give  a  fudden  or  hally  refufal ;  but  when  any  thing  is 
propofed  to  them,  confider  deliberately  and  fully  whether 
it  is  proper — and  after  that,  either  grant  it  chearfully,  or 
deny  it  firmly. 

It  is  a  noble  fupport  of  authority,  when  it  is  really  and 
vifibly  direded  to  the  moll  important  end.  My  meaning 
in  this,  I  hope,  is  not  obfcure.  The  end  1  confider  as 
moll  important  is,  the  glory  of  God  in  the  eternal  happi- 
nefs and  iklvation  of  children.  Whoever  believes  in  a 
future  Rate,  whoever  has  a  juft  fenfe  of  the  importance 
uf  eternity  to  hinifelf,  cannot  fail  to  have  a  like  concern 


Letter^  on  Ediicatlofu  x^x 

for  his  offspring.  This  fhould  be  his  end  both  in  infln.ic* 
tion  and  government ;  and  when  it  vifibly  appears  that 
he  is  under  the  conftraint  of  confcience,  and  that  either 
reproof  or  corre6lion  are  the  fruit  of  fandified  love,  it  will 
give  them  irrefillible  force.  1  will  tell  you  here,  with  all 
the  fimplicity  necefTary  in  fuch  a  fituation,  what  I  have 
often  faid  in  my  courfe  of  paftoral  vifitation  in  families, 
where  there  is  in  many  cafes,  through  want  of  judgment, 
^s  well  as  want  of  principle,  a  great  negleft  of  authority. 

"  Ufe  your  authority  for  God,  and  he  will  fupport  it 

Let  it  always  be  feen  that  you  are  more  difpleafed  at  fia 
than  at  folly.  What  a  (hame  is  it,  that  if  a  child  fhill, 
through  the  inattention  and  levity  of  youth,  break  a  difli 
or  a  pane  of  the  window,  by  which  you  may  lofe  the  value 
of  a  few  pence,  you  fliould  (form  and  rage  at  him  with  the 
utmofl  fury,  or  perhaps  beat  him  with  unmerciful  fe verity  ; 
but  if  he  tells  a  lie,  or  takes  the  name  of  God  in  vain,  cr 
quarrels  with  his  neighbors,  he  fliall  eafily  obtain  pardon : 
or  perhaps,  if  he  is  reproved  by  others,  you  will  jufUfy 
him,  and  take  his  part.'* 

You  cannot  eafily  believe  the  weight  that  it  gives  to  fa- 
mily authority,  when  it  appears  vifibly  to  proceed  from  a 
fenfeofduty,  and  to  be  iifelf  an  act  of  obedience  to  God. 
This  will  produce  coolnefs  and  compofure  in  the  manner, 
it  will  direct  and  enable  a  parent  to  mix  every  expreffion 
of  heart  felt  tendernefs,  with  the  mofl  fevere  and  needful 
reproofs.  It  will  make  it  quite  confilient  to  affirm,  that 
the  rod  itfelf  is  an  evidence  of  love,  and  that  it  is  true  of 
every  pious  parent  on  earth,  what  is  faid  of  our  Father  in 
heaven :  "  Whom  the  Lord  loveth,  he  chafteneth,  and 
fcourgeth  every  fon  whom  he  receiveth.  If  ye  endure 
challening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  fons  :  for  what 
fon  is  he  whom  the  Father  chalkneth  not  ?  But  if  ye  are 
without  chaftifement,  whereof  all  are  partakers,  then  ye 
are  baliards  and  not  fons."  With  this  maxim  in  your 
eye,  I  would  recommend,  that  folemnity  take  the  place  of, 
and  be  fubflituted  for  feverity.  When  a  child,  for  ex- 
ample, difcoversa  very  depraved  difpofitlon,  in  (lead  of 
multiplying  llripes  in  proportion  to  the  reiterated  provo- 
cations, every  circumilance  Ihould  be  introduced,  whe- 


J42  Letters  on  EducatioHl 

ther  in  reproof  or  punifhment,  that  can  either  difcover  the 
ferioufnefs  of  yourmind,  or  make  an  impreffion  of  awe 
and  reverence' upon  his.  The  time  may  be  fixed  before 
hand— at  fome  diftance — The  Lord's  day — his  own  birth- 
day  with  many  other  circumllauces  that  may  be  fo  fpe- 

cial  that  it  is  impoflible  to  enumerate  them.  I  (hall  juft 
repeat  what  you  have  heard  often  from  me  in  converfa- 
tion,  that  feveral  pious  perfons  made  it  an  invariable  cuf- 
tom,  as  foon  as  their  children  could  read,  never  to  cor- 
re£l  them,  but  after  they  had  read  over  all  the  paiTages  of 
fcripture  which  command  it,  and  generally  accompanied 
it  with  prayer  to  God  for  his  blefling.  I  know  well  with 
what  ridicule  this  would  be  treated  by  many,  if  publicly 
nientioned  ;  but  that  does  not  fliake  my  judgment  in  the 
leart,  being  fully  convinced  it  is  a  moll  excellent  method, 
and  that  it'is  impolTible  to  blot  from  the  minds  of  children, 
while  they  live  upon  earth,  the  impreffions  that  are  made 
by  thefe  means,  or  to  abate  the  veneration  they  will  retain 
for  the  parents  who  a6led  fuch  a  part. 

Suffer  me  here  to  obferve  to  you,  that  fuch  a  plan  as 
the  above  requires  judgment,  refle(?tlon,  and  great  at- 
tention in  your  whole  condudt.  Take  hee^  that  there 
be  nothing  admitted  in  die  intervals,  that  cbunteradl  it. 
Nothing  is  more  dellrudive  of  authority,  than  frequent 
difputes  and  chiding  upon  fmall  matters.  This  is  often 
more  irkfome  to  children  than  parents  are  aware  of.  It 
weakens  their  influence  infenfibly,  and  in  time  makes 
their  opinion  and  judgment  of  little  weight,  if  not  wholly 
contemptible.  As  before  I  recommended  dignity  in  your 
general  conduct,  fo  in  a  particular  manner,  let  the  utmoft 
care  be  taken  not  to  render  authority  cheap,  by  too  often 
interpofing  it.  There  is  really  too  great  a  rifk  to  be  run 
in  every  fuch  inflance.  If  parents  will  be  deciding  di- 
redly,  and  cenfuring  every  moment,  it  is  to  be  fuppofed 
they  will  be  fometimes  wrong,  and  when  this- evidently 
'  appears,  it  will  take  away  from  the  credit  of  their  opinion, 
and  weaken  their  influence,  even  where  it  ought  to  pre- 
vaiL 

Upon  the  whole,  to  encourage  you  to  choofe  a  wife  plan, 
and  to  adhere  to  it  with  firmnefs,  I  can  venture  to  allure 


Letters  on  Education,  14^ 

you,  that  there  is  no  doubt  of  your  fuccefs.  To  fubdue 
a  youth  after  he  has  been  long  accuRomed  to  indulp;encc, 
I  take  to  be  in  all  cafes  difficult,  and  in  many  irr^poflible  ; 
but  Avhile  the  body  is  tender,  to  bring  the  mind  to  fub- 
miffion,  to  train  up  a  child  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord,  I  know  is  not  impoffible  :  and  he  who  hath 
given  the  command,  can  fcarcely  fail  to  follow  it  with  hie 
bl  effing. 


LETTER    IV. 

Dear  Sir, 

HAVING  now  finiflied  what  I  propofed  to  fay  on  the 
means  of  eitablilhing  and  preferving  authority,  I 
fliall  proceed  to  another  very  important  branch  of  the  fub- 
]t^,  and  beg  your  very  particular  attention  to  it,  viz.  ex- 
ample. Do  not,  however,  fuppofe  that  I  mean  to  enter  on 
that  mofl  beaten  of  all  topics,  the  influence  of  example 
in  general,  or  to  write  a  diflertation  on  the  common  fay- 
ing, that  "  example  teaches  better  than  precept."  An 
able  writer,  doubtlefs  might  fet  even  this  in  fome  new 
lights,  and  make  it  a  ftrong  argument  with  every  good 
man  to  pay  the  ftri^left  attention  to  his  vifible  condudl.' 
What  we  fee  every  day  has  a  conftant  and  powerful  influ- 
ence on  our  temper  and  carriage.  Hence  arife  national 
charadlers,  and  national  manners,  and  every  charaderilHc 
dillindtion  of  age  and  place.  But  of  this  I  have  already 
faid  enough. 

Neither  is  it  my  purpofe  to  put  you  in  mind  of  the  im- 
portance of  example  to  enforce  inftruction,  or  of  the  fhame- 
fullnefs  of  a  man's  pretending  to  teach  others  w^hat  he  de- 
fpifes  himfelf.  This  ought  in  the  (trongell  manner  to  be 
laid  before  pallors  and  other  public  perfons,  who  often  de- 
feat habitually  by  their  lives,  what  they  attempt  to  do  oc- 
cafionally  in  the  execution  of  their  office.  If  there  re- 
mains the  lead  fufpicion  of  your  being  of  that  character, 
thefe  letters  would  have  been  quite  in  another  flrain.  I 
believe  there  are  iom^  perfons  of  very  irregular  lives. 


144  Letters  oh  Education* 

who  have  fo  much  natural  light  in  their  confciences,  that 
they  vvoald  be  grieved  or  perhaps  offended,  if  their  chil- 
dren fhould  tread  exa6tly  in  their  own  Heps:  but  even  thefe, 
and  rnucli  lefs  others,  who  are  more  hardened,  can  never 
be  expected  to  undc:rtake  or  carry  on  the  fyftem  of  edu* 
cation,  we  are  now  endeavoring  to  illuftrate.  Suffer  me^ 
however,  before  1  proceed,  to  make  one  remark:  when 
I  have  heard  of  parents  who  have  been  watched  by  their 
own  children,  when  drunk,  and  taken  care  of,  kit  they 
llioald  meet  with  injary  or  hurtful  accidents— or  whofe 
intemperate  rage  and  horrid  blafphemies,  have,  without 
fcruple,  been  expofed  both  to  children  and  fervants — or 
who,  as  has  fo.iietimes  been  the  cafe,  were  fcarcely  at  the 
pains  to  conceal  their  criminal  amours,  even  from  their 
own  offspring — I  have  often  refledled  on  the  degree  of  im- 
piety of  principle,  or  fearednefs  of  confcience,  or  both 
united,  neceffary  to  fupport  them  in  fuch  circumftances^ 
Let  us  leave  all  fuch  with  a  mixture  of  pity  and  difdain. 

By  mentioning  example,  therefore,  as  an  important 
and  neceffary  branch  of  the  education  of  children,  I  have 
chiefly  in  view  a  great  number  of  particulars,  which,  fepa- 
rately  taken,  are,  or  at  lealt  are  fuppofed  to  be,  of  little 
moment;  yet  by  their  union  or  frequent  repetition,  pro- 
duce important  and  lading  effeds.  I  have  alfo  in  view- 
to  include  all  that  clafs  of  a6lions,  in  which  there  is,  or 
may  be,  a  coincidence  betv/een  the  duties  of  piety  and 
politenefs,  and  by  means  of  which,  the  one  is  incorpora- 
ted with  the  other.  Thefe  are  to  be  introduced  under  the 
head  of  example,  becaufe  they  will  appear  there  to  befl 
advantage,  and  becaufe  many  of  them  can  hardly  bs 
tau,eht  or  underflood  in  any  other  way. 

This,  I  apprehend,  you  will  readily  approve  of,  be- 
caufe, though  you  juilly  confider  religion  as  the  moft  ef* 
fentially  neceffary  qualification,  you  mean  at  the  fame 
time  that  your  children  fhould  be  fitted  for  an  appearance 
becoming  their  Ration  in  the  workl.  It  is  alfo  the  more 
neceffary,  as  many  are  apt  to  disjoin  wholly  the  ideas  of 
piety  and  politenefs,  and  to  fuppofe  them  not  only  dif- 
tinct,  but  incompatible.  This  is  a  dangerous  fnare  to 
many  parents,  who  think  there  is  no  medium  between 


Letters  on  Education,  145 

thej  ^rofefl:  ruflicity,  and  giving  way  to  all  the  vanity  and 
extravagance  of  a  diffipated  life.  Perfons  truly  pious  have 
often  by  their  conducl  given  countenance  to  this  rniftake.- 
By  a  certain  narrovvnefs  of  fentimtnt  and  behavior  they 
have  become  themfelves,  and  renclered  their  children  un- 
fit for  a  general  intercourfe  with  mankind,  or  the  public 
duties  of  an  adtive  life. 

You  know,  Sir,  as  much  as  any  man,  how  contrary  my 
opinion  and  conduct  have  been  upon  this  fubjedl.  I  can^ 
iiot  help  thinking  that  true  religion  is  not  only  confiflent 
w^ith,  but  necelfary  to  the  perfection  of  true  politenefs. 
There  is  a  noble  fentiment  to  this  purpofe  illuflrated  at 
confiderable  length  in  the  Port-royal  efTays,  viz.  '*  That 
"  worldly  politenefs  is  no  more  than  an  imitation  or  im- 
"  perfect  copy  of  chrifllan  charity,  being  the  pretence  or 
'*  outward  appearance,  of  that  deference  to  the  judgment, 
*'  and  attention  to  the  intereft  of  others,  v/hich  a  true 
"  chriflian  has  as  the  rule  of  his  life,  and  the  difpofitioa 
"  of  his  heart."*  I  have  at  prefent  in  my  mind  the  idea 
of  certain  perfons,  whom  you  will  eafily  guefs  at,  of  the 
firfl:  quality  ;  one  or  two  of  the  male,  and  twice  that  num- 
ber at  leaft  of  the  female  fex,  in  whom  piety  and  high  fta- 
tion  are  united.  What  a  fweetnefs  and  complacency  of 
countenance,  what  a  condefcenfion  and  gentlenefs  of 
manners,  arifmg  from  the  humility  of  the  gofpel  being 
joined  to  the  refined  elegance  infeparable  from  their  cir- 
cum fiances  in  life  ! 

Be  pleafed  to  follow  me  to  the  other  extreme  of  human 
fociety.  Let  us  go  to  the  remoteft  cottage  of  the  wildeil: 
country,  and  vifitthe  family  that  inhabits  it.  If  they  are 
pious,  there  is  a  certain  humanity  and  good  will  attend- 
ing their  fimplicity,  which  makes  it  highly  agreeable. 
There  is  alfo  a  decency  in  their  fentiments,  which,  flow- 

*  The  authorfi  of  thefe  efTays,  commonly  called  by  writers 
who  make  mention  of  them,  the  gentlemen  of  Port-Royal, 
were  a  fociety  of  Janfenifts  in  France,  who  ufed  to  meet  at 
that  place  ;  all  of  Miiom  were  eminent  for  literature,  and  ma- 
ny of  them  of  high  rank,  as  will  be  evident  by  mentioning  the 
narrics  of  Pafcal,  Arnaud,  and  the  prince  of  Conti.  The  laft 
-  was  the  author  of  the  effay  from  which  the  above  remark  is  ta- 
ken. 

Vol.  IV.  T 


24^  Letters  on  Education. 

ing  from  the  didlates  of  confciencc,  is  as  pleafing  in  all 
refpeds,  as  the  reftraint  impofed  by  the  rules  of  good- 
breeding,  with  which  the  perfons  here  in  view  have  little 
opportunity  of  being  acquainted.  On  the  contrary,  un- 
bred country  people,  when  without  principle,  have  gene- 
rally a  favagenefs  and  brutality  in  their  carriage,  as  con- 
trary to  good  manners  as  to  piety  itfelf.  No  one  has  a 
better  opportunity  of  making  obfervations  of  this  kind, 
than  I  have  from  my  office  and  fituation,  and  I  can  affure 
you,  that  religion  is  the  great  polifher  of  the  common  peo- 
ple. It  even  enlarges  their  underftanding  as  to  other 
things.  Having  been  accuflomed  to  exercife  their  judg- 
ment and  refle(^ion  on  religious  fubjeds,  they  are  capa- 
ble of  talking  more  fenfibly  on  agriculture,  politics,  or  a- 
ny  common  topic  of  indifferent  converfation. 

Let  me  not  forget  to  fpeak  of  the  middle  ranks  of  life. 
Here,  alfo,  I  fcruple  not  to  affirm,  that  whatever  fphere  a 
man  has  been  bred  in,  or  attained  to,  religion  is  not  an  in- 
jury, but  an  addition  to  the  politenefs  of  his  carriage.  They 
feem  indeed  to  confefs  their  relation  to  one  another,  by 
their  reciprocal  influence.  In  promifcuous  converfation, 
as  true  religion  contributes  to  make  men  decent  or  cour- 
teous, fo  true  politenefs  guards  them  effedlually  from  any 
outrage  againft  piety  or  purity.  If  I  were  unhappily 
thrown  into  mixed  or  dangerous  company,  I  Ihould  not 
apprehend  any  thing  improper  for  me  to  hear  from  the 
moft  wicked  man,  but  from  the  greateil  clown.  I  have 
knov/n  gentlemen  who  were  infidels  in  principle,  and 
whofe  lives,  I  had  reafon  to  believe,  were  privately  very 
bad,  yet  in  converfation  they  were  guarded,  decent  and 
improving  ;  whereas  if  there  come  into  company  a  rough, 
unpoliihed  country  gentleman,  no  man  can  promife  that 
he  will  nci  break  out  into  fome  profane  exclamation  or 
obfcene  allufion,  which  it  would  be  wrong  to  attribute  to 
impiety,  fo  much  as  to  rudenefs  and  want  of  refledion, 

1  have  been  already  too  long  in  the  introdudion,  and 
in  giving  the  reafons  for  what  I  propofe  fhall  make  a  part 
of  this  branch  of  the  fubjeQ,  and  yet  I  mud  make  another 
preliminary  remark  :  there  is  the  greater  neceffity  for  uni- 
ting piety  and  politenefs  in  the  fyllem  of  family  example, 


Letters  on  Education.  14*- 

that  as  piety  is  by  that  means  inculcated  with  the  grealefl 
advantagje,  [o  politenefs  can  fcarcely  be  attained  in  any 
other  way.  It  is  very  rare  that  perfons  reach  a  higher  de- 
gree of  politenefs,  than  what  they  have  be?n  formecl  to 
in  the  families  of  their  parents  and  other  near  relations. 
True  politenefs  does  not  confift  indrefs,  or  a  few  motions 
of  the  body,  but  in  a  habit  of  fentiment  and  converfat.ion: 
the  firft  may  be  learned  from  a  mafter,  and  in  a  little  time; 
the  lail  only  by  a  long  and  condant  intercourfe  with  thofe 
who  poflefs,  and  are  therefore  able  to  impart  it.  As  the 
difficulty  is  certainly  greateft  with  the  female  fex,  becaufe 
they  have  fewer  opportunities  of  being  abroad  in  the  world, 
I  lliall  take  an  example  from  among  them. 

Suppofe  a  man  of  low  birth,  living  in  the  country,  by 
induftry  and  parfimony  has  become  v/ealthy,  and  has  a 
daughter  to  whom  he  defires  to  give  a  genteel  education. 
He  fends  her  to  your  city  to  a'  boarding  fchool,  for  the 
other  which  is  nearer  me,  you  are  pleafed  not  to  think 
fufficient  for  that  purpofe.  She  will  fpeedily  learn  to  buy 
expenfive  and  falhionable  clothes,  and  moil  probably  be 
in  the  very  height  and  extravagance  of  the  fafliion,  one  of 
the  furefl.  figns  of  a  vulgar  tafte.  She  may  alfo,  if  her  ca- 
pacity is  tolerable,  get  rid  of  her  ruftic  air  and  carriage  ; 
and  if  it  be  better  than  ordinary,  learn  to  difcourfe  upon 
whatever  topic  is  then  in  vogue,  and  comes  in  immedi- 
ately after  the  weather,  which  is  the  beginning  of  all  con- 
verfation.  Bat  as  her  refidence  is  only  for  a  time,  fhe 
returns  home,  where  flie  can  fee  or  hear  nothing  but  as 
before.  Mail  fhe  not  relapfe  fpeedily  into  the  fame  vul- 
garity of  fentiment,  and  perhaps  the  fame  provincial  dia- 
Ie6l,  to  which  Ihe  had  been  accuftomed  from  her  youth  ? 
Neither  is  it  impoflible  that  fhe  may  jufl  retain  as  much  of 
the  city  ceremonial,  as  by  the  incongruous  mixture,  will 
render  her  ridiculous.  There  is  but  one  ftngle  way  of 
efcape,  which  we  have  feen  fome  young  women  of  merit 
and  capacity  take,  which  is  to  contra6t  an  intimacy  with 
perfons  of  liberal  fentiments  and  higher  breeding,  and  be 
as  little  among  their  relations  as  pofTible.  I  have  given 
this  defcription  to  convince  you  that  it  is  in  their  father's 
fcgufe,  and  by  ths  converfation  and  manners,  to  which 


548  Letters  on  Education. 

they  are  there  accuftomed,  that  children  mud  be  formed 
to  politenefs,  as  well  as  to  virtue.  I  carry  this  matter  fo 
far,  that  I  think  it  a  diladvanta^e  to  be  bred  too  high,  as 
well  as  too  low.  I  do  not  defire,  and  have  always  decli- 
ned any  opportunities  given  me  of  having  my  children  re- 
fide  long  in  families  of  high  rank.  I  was  afraid  they  would 
contrad  an  air  and  manner  unfuitable  to  what  was  to  be 
their  condition  for  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  I  would 
Willi  to  give  my  children  as  ju(l,  as  noble,  and  as  elegant 
fentiments  as  pofTible,  to  fit  them  for  rational  converfation, 
but  a  drefs  and  carriage  fuited  to  their  Ilation,  and  not  in- 
confiilent  with  the  meeknefs  of  the  gofpel, 

Though  the  length  of  this  digrelhon,  or  explanatory  in- 
trodu6lion,  has  made  it  impoffible  to  fay  much  in  this  let- 
ter on  forming  children's  character  and  manners  by  ex^ 
ample,  before  I  conclude  I  will  give  one  direction  which 
is  pretty  comprehenfive.  Give  the  utmofl  attention  to  the 
manner  of  receiving  and  entertaining  flrangers  in  your 
family,  as  well  as  to  your  fentiments  and  exprelTions  with 
reo;ard  to  them  when  they  are  gone.  I  am  fully  perfuaded 
that  ihe  plaiiiefl  and  fliortefl  road  to  real  politenefs  of  car- 
riage, and  the  mofl  amiable  fort  of  hofpitality,  is  to  think 
of  others  juft  as  a  chrifiian  ought,  and  to  exprefs  thefe 
thoughts  with  modefty  and  candor.  This  will  keep  you 
at  an  equal  diffance  from  a  furly  and  morofe  carriage  on 
the  one  hand,  and  a  fawning  cringing  obfequioufnefs,  or 
unneceiTary  compliment  and  ceremony,  on  the  other.  As 
thefe  are  circumllances  to  which  children  in  early  life  are 
very  attentive,  and  which  occur  conflantly  in  their  pre- 
fence,  it  is  of  much  moment  what  fentiments  they  imbibe 
from  the  behavior  of  their  parents.  I  do  not  mean  only 
their  learning  from  them  an  eafe  and  dignity  of  carriage, 
or  the  contrary  ;  but  alfo,  fome  moral  or  immoral  habits 
©f  the  lafl  confequence.  If  they  perceive  you  happy  and 
lifted  up  with  the  vifit  or  countenance  of  perfons  of  high 
rank,  folicitous  to  entertain  them  properly,  fubmilTjve  and 
flattering  in  your  manner  o^  fpeaking  to  them,  vain  and 
apt  to  boafl  of  your  connexion  with  them  :  and  if,  on  the 
pontrary,  they  perceive  you  hardly  civil  to  perfons  of  in- 
jf^fior  ilation?,   or  narrow  circumlUnces,  impatient  of 


Letters  on  Education,  14^ 

their  company,  and  immediately  feizing  the  opportunity 
of  their  departure  todefpife  or  expofe  them  ;  will  not  this 
naturally  lead  the  young  mind  to  confjder  riches  and  high 
ilation  as  the  great  fources  of  earthly  happinefs  ?  Will  it 
not  give  a  flron^z  bias  to  their  whole  defires  and  fiudies,  as 
well  as  vifibly  afFe6l  their  behavior  to  others  in  fecial  Lfe. 
Do  not  think  that  this  is  too  nice  and  refined  :  the  firll  im- 
prellions  upon  young  perfons,  though  inconfiderable  in 
themfelves,  have  often  a  great  as  well  as  lading  efFcd. 

I  remember  to  have  read  many  years  ago,  in  the  arch- 
bifliop  of  Cambray's  education  of  a  daughter,  an  advice  to 
parents  to  let  their  children  perceive  that  they  efteem 
others,  not  according  to  their  ftation  or  outward  fpLndor, 
but  their  virtue  and  real  worth.  It  mull  be  acknowledged 
that  there  are  fome  marks  of  refpe6l  due  to  men,  accord- 
ing to  their  place  in  civil  life,  which  a  good  man  would 
not  fail  to  give  them,  even  for  confcience  fake.  But  it  is 
an  eafy  matter,  in  perfedl  confiftency  with  this,  by  more 
frequent  voluntary  intercourfe,  as  well  as  by  our  uj'ual 
manner  of  fpeaking,  to  pay  that  homage  which  is  due  to 
piety,  to  exprefs  our  contempt  or  indignation  at  vice,  or 
meannefs  of  every  kind.  I  think  it  no  inconfideraHe  ad- 
dition to  this  remark,  that  we  fliould  be  as  cautious  of  ef- 
timating  happiness  as  virtue,  by  outward  lUtion  ;  and 
keep  at  the  fame  didance  from  envying  as  from  flaitering 
the  great. 

But  what  I  mull  parlirularly  recommend  to  you,  is  to 
avoid  that  common  but  detellable  culiom  of  receiving  per- 
fons with  courtefy,  and  all  the  marks  of  re;d  friendlhip  in 
your  houfe  ;  and  the  moment  they  are  gone,  falling  upon 
their  charadler  and  conduct  with  unmerciful  feverity.  I 
am  fenfible  there  are  fome  cafes,  though  they  are  not  nu- 
merous, in  which  it  may  be  lawful  to  fayof  others  behind 
their  back,  what  it  would  be  at  lealt  inii)rudent  or  unfafe 
to  fay  in  their  own  prefence.  Neither  would  I  exclude 
parents  from  the  advanta^'e  of  pointing  out  to  their  chil- 
dren the  millakes  and  vices  of  others,  as  a  warning  or  lef- 
fon  of  inllrudion  to  themfelves.  Yet  as  detradlion  in  ge- 
neral is  to  be  avoided  at  all  times ;  fo  of  all  others  the 
molt  improper  feafon  to  fpeak  to  any  inm'^  prejudice,  is, 


%^(B  Letters  on  Education^ 

after  you  have  jufl  received  and  treated  him  In  an  hofpi- 
table  manner,  as  a  friend.  There  is  fomething  mean  in 
it,  and  fomething  fo  nearly  allied  to  hypocrify  and  difin- 
genuity,  that  I  would  not  choofe  to  act  fuch  a  part  even 
to  thofe  whom  I  would  take  another  opportunity  of  point- 
inp^  out  to  my  children,  as  perfons  whofe  converfation  they 
fliould  avoid,  and  whofe  condu(5tthey  fliould  abhor. 

In  every  ftation,  and  among  all  ranks,  this  rule  is  often 
tranfgrefied ;  but  there  is  one  point  in  which  it  is  more  fre- 
quently and  more  univerfally  tranfgrefled  than  in  any 
other,  and  that  is  by  turning  the  abfent  into  ridicule,  for 
any  thing  odd  or  aukward  in  their  behavior,  I  am  forry 
to  fay  that  this  is  an  indecorum  that  prevails  in  feveral 
families  of  high  rank.  A  man  of  inferior  flation,  for 
fome  particular  reafon,  is^admitted  to  their  company.  He 
is  perhaps  not  well  acquainted  with  the  rules  of  polite- 
nefs,  and  the  prefence  of  his  fuperiors,  to  which  he  is  un- 
^ccuRomed,  increafes  his  embarralTment.  Immediately 
on  his  departure,  a  petulant  boy  or  giddy  girl  will  fet  about 
mimicking  his  motions,  and  repeating  his  phrafes,  to  the 
great  entertainment  of  the  company,  who  apparently  de- 
rive much  felf-fatisfadlion  from  a  circumftance  in  which 
there  is  no  merit  at  all.  If  any  perfon  renders  himfelf 
juRly  ridiculous,  by  afTefting  a  charader  which  he  is  un- 
able to  fuilain,  let  him  be  treated  with  the  contempt  he 
deferves.  But  there  is  fomething  very  ungenerous  in 
])eople  treating  their  inferiors  with  difdain,  merely  becaufe 
the  fame  Providence  that  made  their  anceftors  great,  left 
the  others  in  a  low  fphere. 

It  has  often  given  me  great  indignation  to  fee  a  gentle- 
man or  his  v/ife,  of  real  worth,  good  underftanding,  but 
fmiple  manners,  defpifed  and  ridiculed  for  a  defeat  which 
they  could  not  remedy,  and  that  often  by  perfons  the  mod 
infignificant  and  frivolous,  who  never  uttered  a  fentence 
in  their  lives  that  deferved  to  be  remembered  or  repeated. 
But  if  this  condudl  is  ungenerous  in  the  great,  how  di- 
verting is  it  to  fee  the  fame  difpofition  carried  down 
through  all  the  inferior  ranks,  and  fhowing  itfelf  in  a  filly 
triumph  of  every  clafs  over  thofe  who  are  fuppofed  to  be 
J^elow  them  ?  I  have  knjwn  many  perfons,  whofe  flatioa 


Letters  on  Education,  ^i^i 

was  not  fuperior  to  mine,  take  great  pleafure  in  exprefT. 
ing  their  contempt  of  vulgar  ideas  ^livJl  Iovj  Ufe;  and 
even  a  tradeiman's  wife  in  a  city,  glorying  over  the  un- 
polifhed  manners  of  her  country  acquaintance. 

Upon  the  whole,  as  there  is  no  difpofitlon  to  which 
young  perfons  are  more  prone  than  derifjon,  or,  as  the 
auther  I  cited  above,  Mr.  Fenelon,  exprefTes  it,  un  esprit 
inocqueur  et  malin — and  few  that  parents  are  more  apt  to 
cherifh — under  the  idea  of  its  being  a  fign  of  fprightlinefs 
and  vivacity — there  is  none  which  a  pious  and  prudent 
parent  iliould  take  greater  care  to  reftrain  by  admonition, 
and  deftroy  by  a  contrary  example. 


LETTER    V. 
Dear  Sir, 

LET  us  now  proceed  to  confider  more  fully  what  it 
is  to  form  children  to  piety  by  example.  This  is 
a  fubjed  of  great  extent,  and  perhaps,  of  difficulty.  The 
difficulty,  however,  does  not  confifl:  either  in  the  abRrufe- 
nefs  of  the  arguments,  or  uncertainty  of  the  fadls  upon 
which  they  are  founded,  but  in  the  minutenefs  or  trifling 
nature  of  the  circumftances,  taken  feparately,  which  makes 
them  often  either  wholly  unnoticed  or  greatly  underva- 
lued. It  is  a  fubjedt,  which,  if  I  millake  not,  is  much 
more  eafily  conceived  than  explained.  If  you  have  it 
conflantly  in  your  mind,  that  your  whole  vifible  deport- 
ment will  powerfully,  though  infenfibly,  influence  the  opi- 
nions and  future  condudl  of  your  children,  it  will  give  a 
form  or  colour,  if  I  may  fpeak  fo,  to  every  thing  you  fay 
or  do.  There  are  numberlefs  and  namelefs  inflances  ia 
which  this  reflection  v/ill  make  you  fpeak,  or  refrain  from 
fpeaking,  a£t,or  abftain  from  fome  circumftances  of  a6lion, 
in  what  you  are  engaged  in  ;  nor  will  this  be  accompani- 
ed with  any  reluctance  in  the  one  cafe,  or  conftr:.:nt  in 
the  other, 


152  Letters  oh  EducatioA 

But  I  0111(1  not  content  myfelf  with  this.  My  profef^ 
fion  ^ives  me  many  opportunities  of  obferving,  that  the 
iniprtflion  made  by  general  truths,  however  jullly  flated 
or  fully  proved,  is  feldom  ftrong  or  lading.  Let  me,- 
therefore  defcend  to  pradlice^  and  illuftrate  what  1  have 
faid  by  examples.  Here  again  a  difficulty  occurs.  If  I 
give  a  particular  inftance,  it  v/ill  perhaps  operate  no  farther 
than  recommending  a  like  condudt  in  circumftances  the 
fame,  or  perhaps  perfectly  fimilar.  For  example,  I  might 
fay,  in  fpeaking  to  the  difadvantage  of  abfent  perfons,  I 
befeech  you  never  fail  to  add  the  reafon  why  you  take  fuch 
liberty,  and  indeed  never  take  that  liberty  at  all,  but  when 
it  can  be  jullified  upon  the  principles  of  prudence,  candor 
and  charity.  A  thing  may  be  right  in  itfelf,  but  children 
lliould  be  made  to  fee  why  it  is  right.  This  is  one  in- 
llance  of  exemplary  caution,  but  if  I  were  to  add  a  dozen 
more  to  it,  they  would  only  be  detached  precepts  ;  where- 
as I  am  anxious  to  take  in  the  whole  extent  of  edifying 
example.  In  order  to  this,  let  me  range  or  divide  what 
I  have  to  fay,  under  diliindl  heads.  A  parent  who  wifhes 
that  his  example  fliould  be  a  fpeaking  leflbn  to  his  chil- 
dren, fhould  order  it  fo  as  to  convince  them,  that  he  con- 
fiders  religion  as  neceflary,  refpe6lable,  amiable,  profitable, 
and  delightful.  1  am  fenfible  that  fome  of  thefe  charac- 
ters may  feem  fo  nearly  allied,  as  fcarcely  to  admit  of  a 
diflinclion.  Many  parts  of  a  virtuous  condu6l  fall  under 
inore  than  one  of  thefe  denominations.  Some  alliens 
perhaps  deferve  all  the  epithets  here  mentioned,  without 
exception  and  without  prejudice  one  of  another.  But  the 
diliindions  feem  to  me  very  ufeful,  for  there  is  certainly 
a  clafs  of  adlions  which  may  be  faid  to  belong  peculiarly, 
or  at  lead  eminently,  to  each  of  thefe  different  heads.  By 
taking  them  feparately,  therefore,  it  will  ferve  to  point  out 
more  fulfy  the  extent  of  your  duty,  and  to  fugged  it  when 
it  would  not  otherwife  occur,  as  well  as  to  fet  the  obliga- 
tion to  it  in  the  dronger  light. 

I.  You  fliould,  in  your  general  deportment,  make  your 
children  perceive  that  you  look  upon  religion  as  abfolute- 
ly  iiccedary.  I  place  this  fird,  becaufe  it  appears  to  me 
iird  both  in  point  of  order  and  force.     I  am  hv  from  being 


JLvtlers  on  Education.  jj3 

^jtainfc  takinpj  all  pains  to  fliow  that  religion  is  rational  and 
honorible  in  itfelf,  and  vice  the  contrary  ;  but  I  defpife 
the  fooUfh  refinement  of  thofe,  who,  through  fear  of  ma. 
kint;  children  mercenary,  are  for  being  very  fparing  of  the 
niention  of  heaven  or  hell.  Such  conduct  is  apt  to  make 
them  conceive,  that  a  negledl  of  their  duty  is  only  falling 
fhort  of  a  decree  of  honor  and  advantage,  v/hich,  for  the 
gratification  of  their  pallions,  they  are  very  vvillinyj  to  re- 
linquilh.  Miny  parents  are  much  more  ready  to  tell  their 
children  fuch  or  fuch  a  thing  is  mean,  and  not  like  a  gen- 
tieman,  than  to  warn  them  that  they  will  thereby  incur 
the  difpleafure  of  their  Maken  But  when  the  pra6lices 
are  really  and  deeply  criminal,  as  in  fwearing  and  lying, 
it  is  quite  improper  to  red  the  matter  there.  I  admit  that 
they  are  both  mean,  and  that  juffice  ought  to  be  done  to 
them  in  this  refpedl,  but  I  contend  that  it  fhould  only  be 
a  fecondary  confideration. 

Let  not  human  reafonings  be  put  in  the  balance  with 
divine  wifdom.  The  care  of  our  fouls  is  reprefented  in 
fcnptureas  the  one  thin^-  needful.  He  makes  a  mifera- 
ble  bargain,  who  gains  the  whole  world  and  lofes  his  own 
foul.  It  is  not  the  native  beauty  of  virtue,  or  the  out- 
ward credit  of  it,  or  the  inv/ard  fatisfa6lion  arifing  from  it^ 
or  even  all  thefe  combined  together,  that  will  be  fufficient 
to  change  our  natures  and  govern  our  condu6l ;  but  a 
deep  convidlion,  that  unlefs  \vt  are  reconciled  to  God,  we 
ihall  without  doubt  perifh  everlaftingly. 

You  will  fay,  this  is  very  true  and  very  fit  for  a  pulpit 
— but  what  is  that  clafs  of  actions  that  ftiould  imprefs  it 
habitually  on  the  minds  of  children  ?  perhaps  you  will 
even  fay,  what  one  adlion  will  any  good  man  be  guilty 
of — much  more  habitual  condudl — that  can  tend  to  weak- 
en their  belief  of  it !  This  is  the  very  point  which  I  mean 
to  explain.  It  is  certainly  poflTible  that  a  man  may  at  flated 
times  give  out  that  he  looks  upon  religion  to  be  abfolutely 
necelTary  and  yet  his  conduct  in  many  particulars  may- 
have  no  tendency  to  imprefs  this  on  the  minds  of  his  chil- 
dren. If  he  fuffers  particular  religious  duties  to  be  eafily 
difplaced,  to  be  fhortened,  poflponed  or  omitted,  upon 
the  mod  trifling  accounts,  depend  upon  it,  this  will  make 

Vol.  IV.  U 


T54  Letters  on  Education] 

religion  in  general  feem  lefs  necelTary,  to  thofe  who  ob- 
ferve  it.  If  an  unpleafant  day  will  keep  a  man  from 
-public  worfliip,  when  perhaps  a  hurricane  will  not  keep 
him  from  an  ele£lion  meeting — if  he  choofes  to  take  phy- 
fic,  or  give  it  to  his  children  on  the  Lord's  day,  when  it 
could  be  done  with  equal  eafe  on  the  day  before  or  after— 
if  he  will  more  readily  allow  his  fervants  to  pay  a  vifit  to 
their  friends  on  that  day  than  any  other,  though  he  has 
reafon  to  believe  they  will  fpend  it  in  junketing  and  idle- 
3iefs — it  will  not  be  eafy  to  avoid  fufpe6ting  that  worldly 
advantage  is  what  determines  his  choice. 

Take  an  example  or  two  more  on  this  head.  Suppo- 
fmg  a  man  ufually  to  worfhip  God  in  his  family  ;  if  he 
fometimes  omits  it — if  he  allow  every  little  bufmefs  to  in- 
terfere with  it — if  company  will  make  him  difpenfe  with 
it,  or  fliift  it  from  its  proper  feafon — believe  me,  the  idea 
of  religion  being  every  man's  firft  and  great  concern,  it  is 
in  a  good  meafure  weakened,  if  not  wholly  loft.  It  is  a 
very  nice  thing  in  religion  to  know  the  real  connexion 
between,  and  the  proper  mixture  of  fpirit  and  form.  The 
form  without  the  fpirit  is  good  for  nothing ;  but  on  the 
other  hand,  the  fpirit  without  the  form,  never  yet  exifted, 
I  am  of  opinion,  that  punctual  and  even  fcrupulous  regu- 
larity in  all  thofe  duties  that  occur  periodically,  is  the  way 
to  make  them  eafy  and  pleafant  to  thofe  who  attend  them. 
;They  alfo  become,  like  all  other  habits,  in  fome  degree 
necelTary  ;  fo  that  thofe  who  have  been  long  accuftomed 
•to  them,  feel  an  uneafmefs  in  families  where  they  are  ge- 
nerally or  frequently  negledled.  I  cannot  help  alfo  men- 
tioning to  you,  the  great  danger  of  paying  and  receiving 
vifits  on  the  Lord's  day,  unlefs  when  it  is  abfolutely  ne- 
jcefiary.  It  is  a  matter  not  merely  difficult,  but  wholly 
impradicable,  in  fuch  cafes,,  to  guard  effedlually  againft 
improper  fubjedls  of  converfation.  Nor  is  this  all,  for 
-let  the  converfation  be  what  it  will,  I  contend  that  the 
duties  of  the  family  and  the  clofet  are  fully  fufficient  to 
employ  the  whole  time  ;  which  muft  therefore  be  wafted 
or  mifapplied  by  the  intercourfe  of  ftrangers. 

I   only  further  obferve,  that  I  know  no  circumftance 
iVom  which  your  opinion  of  the  neceffity  of  religion  wiU 


■   ^I^ttm  on  Education..  t'ssi 

appear  with  the  greater  clearnefs,  or  carry  it  in  greater 
force,  than  your  behaviour  towards  and  treatment  of  your 
children  in  time  of  dangerous  ficknefs.     Certainly  there 
is  no  time  in  their  whole  lives  when  the  neceflity  appears 
more  urgent,  or  the  opportunity  more  favourable,  for  im- 
prefllng  their  minds  with  a  fenfe  of  the  things  that  belong 
to  their  peace.     What  fhall  we  fay  then  of  thofe  parents, 
who,  through  fear  of  alarming  their  minds,  and  augment- 
ing  their  diforder,  will  not  fuffer  any  mention  to  be  made 
to  them  of  the  approach  of  death,  or  the  importance  of 
eternity  ?  I  will  relate  to   you  an  example  of  this.     A 
young  gentleman  of  eftate  in  my  parifh,  was  taken  ill  of 
a  dangerous  fever  in  a  friend's  houfe  at  a  diftance.     I 
went  to  fee  him  in  his  illnefs,  and  his  mother,  a  widow 
lady,  intreated  me  not  to  fay  any  thing  alarming  to  him, 
and  not  to  pray  with  him,  but  to  go  to  prayer  in  another 
room,  wherein  fhe  wifely  obferved,  it  would  have  the  fame 
effedl.     The  young  man  himfelf  foon  found  that  I  did  not 
act  as  he  had  expedled,  and  was  fo  impatient  that  it  be- 
came neceflary  to  give  him  the  true  reafon.     On  this  he 
infifted  in   the  mod  pofitive  manner,  that  all  reftridion 
fhould  be  taken  oiF,  which  was  done.     What  was  the  con- 
fequence  ?     He  was  exceedingly  pleafed  and  compofed  ; 
and  if  this  circumftance  did  not  haften,  it  certainly  nei- 
ther hindered  nor  retarded  his  recovery. 

Be  pleafed  to  remark,  that  the  young  gentleman  here 
fpoken  of,  neither  was  at  that  time,  nor  is  yet,  fo  far  as  I 
am  able  to  judge,  truly  religious;  and  therefore  I  have 
formed  a  fixed  opinion,  that  in  this,  as  in  many  other  in- 
ilances,  the  wifdom  of  man  difappoints  itfelf.  Pious  ad- 
vice and  Gonfolation,  if  but  tolerably  adminiftered  in  fick- 
nefs,  are  not  only  ufeful  to  the  foul,  but  ferve  particularly 
to  calm  an  agitated  mincj,  to  bring  the  animal  fpirits  to  an 
eafy  flow,  and  the  whole  frame  into  fuch  a  ftate  as  will  beO: 
favor  the  operation  of  medicine,  or  the  efforts  of  the  con- 
ilitution,  tp  throw  off  or  conquer  the  difeafe. 

Suffer  me  to  wander  a  little  from  my  fubjed,  by  obferv- 
ing  to  you,  that  as  I  do  not  think  the  great  are  to  be  much 
envied  for  any  thing,  fo  diey  are  truly  and  heartily  to  be 
pitied  for  the  deception  that  is  ufually  put  upon  th'^m  by. 


156  Letters  on  Educatiotu 

flattery  and  falfe  tendernefs.  Many  of  them  are  brought 
up  with  fo  much  delicacy,  that  they  are  never  fufFered  tp 
fee  any  miferable  or  afflicting  objedl,  nor,  {o  far  as  can  be 
hindered,  to  hear  any  afFe£lin^  (lory  of  diflrefs.  If  they 
themfelves  are  Tick,  how  many  abfurd  and  palpable  lies 
are  told  them  by  their  friends  ?  and  as  for  phyficians  I 
may  fafely  fay,  few  of  them  are  much  confcience  bound 
in  this  matter.  Now,  let  the  fuccefs  of  thefe  meafures  be 
what  it  will,  the  only  fruit  to  be  reaped  from  them  is  to 
make  a  poor  dying  fmner  midake  his  or  her  condition, 
and  vainly  dream  of  earthly  happinefs,  while  haftening  to 
the  pit  of  perdition.  But,  as  I  faid  before,  men  are  often 
taken  in  their  own  craftinefs.  It  oftentimes  happens  that 
fuch  perfons,  by  an  ignorant  fervant,  or  officious  neigh- 
bor, or  fome  unlucky  accident,  make  a  fudden  difcovery 
of  their  true  fituation,  and  the  Ihock  frequently  proves  fa- 
tal.— O  !  how  much  more  defirable  is  it-— how  much 
more  like  the  reafon  of  men,  as  well  as  the  faith  of  chrif- 
tians— to  confider  and  prepare  for  what  muft  inevitably 
come  to  pafs  ?  I  cannot  eafily  conceive  any  thing  more 
truly  noble,  than  for  a  perfon  in  health  and  vigor,  in  ho- 
nor and  opulence,  by  voluntary  ret^e(5tion  to  Sympathize 
with  others  in  diflrefs  ;  and  by  a  well  founded  confidence 
in  divine  mercy,  to  obtain  the  victory  over  the  fear  of 
death. 

2.  You  ought  to  live  fo  as  to  make  religion  appear  re- 
fpedlable.  Religion  is  a  venerable  thing  in  itfelf,  and  it? 
fpreads  an  air  of  dignity  over  a  perfon's  whole  deportment, 
I  have  feen  a  common  tradefman,  merely  becaufe  he  wa3 
a  man  of  true  piety  and  undeniable  worth,  treated  by  hii^ 
children,  apprentices  and  fervants,  with  a  much  greater 
degree  of  deference  and  fubmifiion,  than  is  commonly 
given  to  men  of  fuperior  flation,  without  that  character. 
Many  pf  the  flime  meanneffes  are  ayoided,  by  a  gentle- 
man from  a  principle  of  honor,  and  by  a  good  man  from 
a  principle  of  confcience.  The  firft  keeps  out  of  the 
company  of  common  people,  becaufe  they  are  below  him 
•—the  laft  is  cautious  of  mixing  with  them,  bepaufe  of 
that  levity  and  profanity  that  is  to  be  expei^ted  from  them. 
Ifj  then,  religion  is  really  venerable  when  fmcere,  a  re- 


Letters  on  Educathiu  157 

fpeflable  conduct  ought  to  be  maintained,  as  a  proof  of 
your  own  integrity,  as  well  as  to  recommend  it  to  your 
children.  To  this  add,  if  you  pleafe,  that  as  reverence  is 
the  peculiar  duty  of  children  to  their  parents,  any  thing 
that  tends  to  leflen  it  is  more  deeply  felt  by  them  than  by 
Others  who  obferve  it.  When  I  iiave  feen  a  parent,  in  the 
prefence  of  his  child,  meanly  wrangling  with  his  fervant, 
telling  extravagant  ftories,  or  otherwife  expofing  his  va- 
nity, credulity  or  folly,  I  have  felt  jufl  the  fame  propor- 
tion of  fympathy  and  tendernefs  for  the  one,  that  I  did  of 
contempt  or  indignation  at  the  other. 

What  has  been  faid,  will,  in  part,  explain  the  errors 
which  a  parent  ought  to  fhun,  and  what  circumflances  he 
ought  to  attend  to,  that  reli^^ion  may  appear  refpedable. 
All  meanneffes,  whether  of  fentiment,  converfation,  drefs, 
manners,  or  employment,  are  carefully  to  be  avoided. 
You  will  apply  this  properly  to  yourfelf.  I  may,  how- 
ever, juft  mention,  that  there  is  a  confiderable  difference 
in  all  thefe  particulars,  according  to  men's  different  fla- 
tions.  The  fame  actions  are  mean  in  one  Ilation,  that 
are  not  fo  in  another.  The  thing  itfelf,  however,  flill  re- 
inains  ;  as  there  is  an  order  and  cleanlinefs  at  the  table  of 
tradefmen,  that  is  different  from  the  elegance  of  a  gentle- 
man's, or  the  fumptuoufnefs  of  a  prince's  or  nobleman's. 
But  to  make  the  matter  flill  plainer  by  particular  exam- 
ples. I  look  upon  talkativenefs  and  vanity  to  be  among 
the  greateft  enemies  to  dignity.  It  is  needlefs  to  fay  how 
much  vanity  is  contrary  to  true  religion  ;  and  as  to  the 
pther,  which  may  feem  rather  an  infirmity  than  a  fin,  v/e 
are  exprefsly  cautioned  againfl  it,  and  commanded  to  be 
fwift  to  hear,  and  flow  to  fpeak.  Sudden  anger,  too,  and 
loud  clamorous  fcolding,  are  at  once  contrary  to  piety  and 
(dignity.  Parents  fhould,  therefore,  acquire  as  much  as 
pofTible,  a  compofure  of  fpirit,  and  meeknefs  of  language  ; 
nor  are  there  many  circumflances  that  will  more  recom- 
mend religion  to  children,  when  they  fee  that  this  felf 
command  is  the  efTed  of  principle,  and  a  fenfe  of  duty. 

There  is  a  weaknefs  I  have  obferved  in  many  parents, 
to  (how  a  partial  fondnefs  for  fome  of  their  children,  to 
the  neglect,  and  in  many  cafes  approachiiiLi;  to  a  jealoufy 


XSS  Letters  on  Education^ 

or  hatred  of  others.  Sometimes  we  fee  a  mother  difcovcr 
an  exceffive  partiality  to  ahandfome  daughter,  incompa- 
rifon  of  thofe  that  are  more  homely  in  their  figure.  This 
is  a  barbarity,  which  would  be  truly  incredible,  did  not 
experience  prove  that  it  really  exifis.  One  would  think 
they  fhould  rather  be  excited  by  natural  afFe6lion,  to  give 
all  poffible  encouragement  to  thofe  who  labor  under  a  dif- 
advantage,  and  bellow  every  attainable  accomplifhment  to 
balance  the  defcds  of  outward  form.  At  other  times  we 
fee  a  partiality  which  cannot  be  accounted  for  at  all,  where 
the  mofl:  ugly,  peevifh,  froward  child  of  the  whole  family,, 
15  the  favorite  of  both  parents.  Reafon  ought  to  counter- 
act thefe  errors ;  but  piety  ought  to  extirpate  them  entire^ 
Jy.  I  do  not  ilay  to  mention  the  bad  effeQs  that  flow  from 
them,  my  purpofe  being  oaly  to  fliow  the  excellence  of 
that  charafter  which  is  exempted  from  them. 

The  real  dignity  of  religion  will  alfo  appear  in  the  con- 
duct of  a  good  man  towards  his  fervants.  It  will  point 
out  the  true  and  proper  diftindlion  between  condefcenfion 
and  meannefs.  Humility  is  the  very  fpirit  of  the  gofpel. 
Therefore,  hear  your  fervants  with  patience,  examine 
their  conduct  with  candor,  treat  them  with  all  the  huma- 
nity and  gentlenefs  that  is  confident  with  unremitted  au- 
thority :  when  they  are  fick,  vifit  them  in  perfon,  provide 
remedies  for  them,  fympathize  with  them,  and  Ihow 
them  that  you  do  fo  ;  take  care  of  their  interefls ;  affift 
them  with  your  counfel  and  influence  to  obtain  what  is 
their  right.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  never  make  your- 
felf  their  proper  companion  ;  do  not  feem  to  tafte  their  fo- 
ciety  ;  do  not  hear  their  jokes,  or  alk  their  news,  or  tell 
them  yours.  Believe  me,  this  will  never  make  you  either 
beloved  or  efteemed  by  your  fervants  themfelves  ;  and  it 
will  greatly  derogate  from  the  dignity  of  true  religion  in 
tlie  eyes  of  your  children.  Suffer  me  alfo  to  caution  you 
againd  that  mofl  unjuft  and  illiberal  prai^ice,  of  exercifi-ng 
your  wit  in  humorous  flrokes  upon  your  fervants,  before 
company,  or  while  they  wait  at  table.  I  do  not  know  any 
thing  fo  evidently  mean,  that  is  at  the  fame  time  fo  com- 
mon. It  is  I  think,  juft  fuch  a  cowardly  thing  as  to  beat 
a  man  who  is  bound  i  becaufe  the  fervatit,  however  happy 


Letters  on  Education.  159 

a  repartee  might  occur  to  him,  is  not  at  liberty  to  anfwer, 
but  at  the  rifle  of  having  his  bones  broken.  In  this  as  in 
many  other  particulars,  reafon,  refinement,  and  liberal 
manners,  teach  exadlly  the  fame  thing  with  religion,  and 
I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  add,  that  religion  is  general- 
ly the  moft  powerful,  as  well  as  the  mod  uniform  princi- 
ple of  decent  conduct. 

I  fliall  have  done  with  this  particular,  when  I  have  ob^ 
ferved,  that  thofe  who  are  engaged  in  public,  or  what  I 
may  call  political  life,  have  an  excellent  opportunity  of 
making  religion  appear  truly  refpedlable.  What  I  mean 
is,  by  Ihowing  themfelves  firm  and  incorruptible,  in  fup- 
porting  thofe  meafures  that  appear  befi  calculated  for  pro- 
moting the  intereft  of  religion,  and  the  good  of  mankind. 
In  all  thefe  cafes,  I  admire  that  man  who  has  principles, 
whofe  principles  are  known,  and  whom  every  body  def- 
pairs  of  being  able  to  feduce,  or  bring  over  to  the  oppo- 
fite  intered.  I  do  not  commend  furious  and  intemperate 
zeal.  Steadinefs  is  a  much  better,  and  quite  a  different 
thing.  I  V70uld  contend  with  any  man  who  fhould  fpeak 
mod  calmly,  but  I  would  alfo  contend  with  him  who 
fliould  a6l  moil  firmly.  As  for  your  placebo's  your  pru- 
dent, courtly,  compliant  gentlemen,  whofe  vote  in  affem- 
bly  will  tell  you  where  they  dined  the  day  before,  I  hold 
them  very  cheap  indeed,  as  you  very  well  know.  I  do 
not  enter  further  into  this  argument,  but  conclude  at  this 
time,  by  obferving,  that  public  meafures  are  always  em- 
braced  under  pretence  of  principle ;  and  therefore  an  uni- 
form uncorrupted  public  character  is  one  of  the  bed  evi- 
dences of  real  principle.  The  free  thinking  gentry  tell 
us,  upon  this  fubjedl,  that  "  every  man  has  his  price.'* 
It  lies  out  of  my  way  to  attempt  refuting  them  at  prefent, 
but  it  is  to  be  hoped  there  are  many  whofe  price  is  far 
above  their  reach.  If  fome  of  my  near  relations,  who 
look  fo  much  pains  to  attach  me  to  the  intered  of  evange- 
lical truth,  had  been  governed  by  court  influence  in  their 
political  condu^,  it  had  not  been  in  my  power  to  have 
cdecmed  their  charad^er,  or  perhaps  to  have  adhered  to 
their  indrudtions.  But  as  things  now  dand,  I  have  done 
both  from  the  beginning,  and  I  hope  God  will  enable  me 
by  his  grace,  to  continue  to  do  fo  to  the  end  gf  life. 


C  i6i  3 


osM  raoa  0000  0000  rose  oooo  r(Aa  eo9s  cooo  ocoo  ocoo  eooo  oooo  »coo  oooo  uooe  oooo  ooaa  oiee  ooee  oooo  com  ewg  , 
•001  ocoo  dSM  ><cc  COM  Cvoo  oooo  cooo  oooo  0900  c«oo  aooo  oooo  oooo  oooo  0030  eooo  oooo  coco  oooo  oooo  OOCO  OOOC  ( 


LETTERS 


0    N 


Marriage, 


LETTER    L 


IOFf  ER,  with  fome  hefitation,  a  few  refie6lIons  upon 
the  married  flate.  I  exprefs  myfelf  thus,  becaufe  the 
fubjedl:  has  been  fo  often  and  fo  fully  treated,  and  by  wri- 
ters of  the  firlt  clafs,  that  it  may  be  thought  nothing  now 
remains  to  be  faid  that  can  merit  attention.  My  only- 
apology  is,  that  what  I  offer  is  the  fruit  of  real  obfervation 
and  perfonal  reflection.  It  is  not  a  copy  of  any  man's 
writings,  but  of  my  own  thoughts ;  and  therefore  if  the 
fentiments  fhould  not  be  in  themfelves  wholly  new,  they 
may  poffibly  appear  in  a  light  not  altogether  common.  I 
Ihall  give  you  them  in  the  v/ay  of  aphorifms  or  obferva- 
tions  ;  and  fubjoin  to  each  a  few  thoughts  by  way  of 
proof  or  illuftration. 

I.  Nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to  reafon  or  public 
utility,  than  the  converfation  and  writings  of  thofe  whp 
turn  matrimony  into  ridicule  ;  yet  it  is  in  many  cafes,  as 
weakly  defended,  ar.  it  is  unjuilly  attacked. 

Thofe  who  treat  marriage  with  ridicule,  ad  in  dlre<5t 
and  deliberate  oppofition  to  the  order  of  providence,  and 

Vol.  IV.  X 


t62  Letters  on  Marrtagel 

to  the  conftitution  of  the  fociety  of  which  they  are  mem- 
bers. The  true  reafon  why  they  are  borne  with  fo  pa- 
tiently, is,  that  the  Author  of  our  nature  has  implanted  in 
tis  inftindive  propenfities,  which  are  by  much  too  llrong 
for  their  feeble  attacks. — But  if  we  are  to  eftimate  the  ma- 
lignity of  a  man's  condudt  or  fentiments,  not  from  their 
effetl,  but  from  their  native  tendency,  and  his  inward  dif- 
pofition,  it  is  not  eaiy  to  imagine  any  thing  more  crimi- 
nal, than  an  attempt  to  bring  marriage  into  difefleem.  It 
is  plainly  an  effort  not  only  to  deilroy  the  happinefs,  but 
to  prevent  the  exiftence  of  human  nature.  A  man  who 
continues  through  life  in  a  fmgle  ftate,  ought,  in  juflice  to 
^deavor  to  fatisfy  the  public  that  his  cafe  is  Angular,  and 
that  he  has  fome  infuperable  obftacle  to  plead  in  his  ex- 
cufe.  If,  inflead  of  this,  he  reafons  in  defence  of  his  own 
condudl,  and  takes  upon  him  to  condemn  that  of  others, 
it  is  at  once  incredible  and  abfurd  *•  That  is  to  fay,  he  can 
fcarcely  be  believed  to  be  fmcere.  And  whether  he  be 
fmcere  or  not,  he  deferves  to  be  detefled. 

Infupport  of  the  lafl  part  of  my  remark,  let  it  be  ob- 
ferved,  that  thofe  who  write  in  defence  of  marriage,  ufually 
givefuch  fublime  and  exalted  defcriptions,  as  are  not  re- 
alized in  one  cafe  of  a  thoufand  ;  and  therefore  cannot  be 
a  juft  motive  to  a  confiderate  man.  Inftead  of  infilling 
on  the  abfolute  neceflity  of  marriage  for  the  fervice  of  the 
ftate,  and  the  folid  advantages  that  arife  from  it,  in  ordi- 
nary cafes  ;  they  give  us  a  certain  refined  idea  of  felicity, 
which  hardly  exifts  any  where  but  in  the  writer's  imagi- 
nation. Even  the  Spectator,  than  whom  there  is  hardly  in 
our  language  a  more  juft  and  rational  writer,  after  faying 
many  excellent  things  in  defence  of  marriage,  fcarcely 
ever  fails  to  draw  the  charadcr  of  a  lady  in  fuch  terms, 
that  I  may  fafely  fay  not  above  one  that  anfwers  the  def- 
cription  is  to  be  found  in  a  parilh,  or  perhaps  a  country. 
Now,  is  it  not  much  better  to  leave  the  matter  to  the  force 
of  nature,  than  to  urge  it  by  fuch  arguments  as  thefe  ?  Is 
the  manner  of  thinking  induced  by  fuch  writings,  likely 
to  haften  or  poftpone  a  man's  entering  into  the  marriage 
'llatc? 


Letters  on  Marriage.  't.^^ 

There  is  alfo  a  fault  I  think  to  be  found  In  almofl  every 
writer  who  fpeaks  in  favor  of  the  female  fex,  that  they 
over-rate  the  charms  of  the  outward  form.  This  is  the 
cafe  in  all  romances — a  clafs  of  writings  to  which  the 
world  is  very  little  indebted. — The  fame  thing  may  be 
faid  of  plays,  where  the  heroine  for  certain,  and  often  all 
the  ladies  that  are  introduced,  are  reprefented  as  inimita- 
bly beautiful.  Even  Mr.  Addifon  himfelf  in  his  admira- 
ble defcription  of  Martia,  which  he  puts  in  the  mouth  of 
Juba,  though  it  begins  with, 

^Tis  not  a  set  of  features  or  complexion^  Sec. 

yet  could  not  help  inferting 

True  she  is  fair  ;  oh,  how  divinely  fair! 

Now,  I  apprehend  this  is  diredtly  contrary  tQ  what  fhould 
{)e  the  defign  of  every  moral  writer.  Men  are  naturally 
^0  apt  to  be  carried  away  with  the  admiration  of  a  beau- 
tiful face.  Mud  it  not,  therefore,  confirm  them  in  this 
error,  when  beauty  is  made  an  efTerjtial  part  of  every  ami- 
able chara(3:er  I  The  preference  fuch  writers  pretend  to 
give  to  the  mental  qualities,  goes  but  a  little  way  to  reme- 
dy the  evil.  If  they  are  never  feparated  in  the  defcription, 
wherever  men  find  the  one,  they  will  prefume  upon  the 
other.  But  is  this  according  to  truth,  or  agreeable  to  ex- 
perience ?  What  vaft  numbers  of  the  mofl  valuable  wo- 
men are  to  be  found,  who  are  by  no  means  "divinely  fair?" 
Are  thefe  all  to  be  negleded  then  ?  Or  is  it  not  certain, 
from  experience,  that  there  is  not  a  fingle  quality,  on 
which  matrimonial  happinefs  depends  fo  little,  as  outward 
form  .''  Every  other  quality  that  is  good,  will  go  a  certain 
length  to  atone  for  what  is  bad  ;  as,  for  example,  if  a  wo- 
man is  adlive  and  indufirious  in  her  family,  it  will  make 
a  hu?oand  bear  with  more  patience  a  little  anxiety  of  coun- 
tenance, or  fretfulnefs  of  temper,  though  in  themfelves 
difagreeable.  Rut  (always  fuppofing  the  honey-moon  to 
be  over)  I  do  not  think  that  beauty  atones  in  the  lead  de- 
gree for  any  bad  quality  whatfoevev;  it  is,  on  the  contrary, 
a.n  aggravation  of  them,  being  confidered  as  a  breach  of 
(dith,  or  deception,  by  holding  out  a  falfe  fignal, 


164  Letters  on  Marrla^l 

2.  In  the  married  ftate  in  general,  there  is  not  fo  much 
happinefs  as  young  lovers  dream  of;  nor  is  there  by  far 
fo  much  unhappipefs,  as  loofe  authors  uniyerfally  fuppofe. 

The  firft  part  of  this  aphorifm  \yill  probably  be  eafjly 
admitted.  Before  mentioning,  hovveyer,  the  little  I  mean 
to  fay  upon  it,  1  beg  leave  to  obferve,  that  it  vvoyld  be 
quite  wrong  to  blame  the  tendernefs  and  fervency  of  af- 
fedlion,  by  v^hich  the  fexesare  drawn  to  one  another,  and 
that  generous  deyotednefs  of  hearts  whiph  is  often  to  be 
feen  on  one,  and  fometimes  on  both  fides.  This  is  nature 
itfelf ;  and  when  under  the  reflraint  of  reafon,  and  govern- 
ment of  prudence,  may  be  greatly  fubferyient  to  the  future 
happinefs  of  life.  But  there  is  certainly  an  extravagance 
of  feqtiment  and  language  on  this  fubjedi,  that  is  at  once 
ridiculous  in  itfelf,  and  the  proper  caufe,  in  due  time,  of 
wretchednefs  and  difappointment. 

"•'Let  any  man,  who  has  outlived  thefe  fenfations  hini- 
felf,  and  has  leifure  to  be  amufed,  dip  a  little  into  the  love 
fongs  that  have  been  compofed  and  publifhed  from  Ana- 
creon  to  the  pr^fent  day,  and  what  a  fund  of  enter- 
tainment will  he  find  provided  for  him  !  The  heathen 
gods  and  goddefles  are  the  Handing  and  lawful  means 
of  celebrating  the  praifqs  of  a  miilrefs  before  whom, 
no  doubt,  Venu^  for  beauty,  and  Minerva  for  M^ifdom, 
muft  go  for  nothing.  Every  image  in  nature  has  been 
called  up  to  heighten  our  idea  of  female  charms-— the 
palenefs  of  the  lily,  the  frefhnefs  of  the  rofe,  the  bluih 
of  the  violet,  and  the  Vermillion  of  the  peach.  This  is 
even  ftill  nothing."  One  of  the  moR  approved  topics  of  a 
iove-fick  writer  is,  that  allnature  fades  and  mourns  at  the 
abfence  of  his  fair,  and  puts  on  a  ne\y  bloom  at  her  ap- 
proach. All  this,  we  know  well,  has  place  only  in  his 
imagination;  for  nature  proceeds  quietly  in  her  courfe, 
without  minding  him  and  his  charmer  in  the  leaft.  But 
we  are  not  yet  done.  The  glory  of  the  heavenly  orbs, 
the  ludre  of  the  fun  himfelf,  and  eveq  the  joys  of  heaven, 
are  frequently  and  familiarly  introduced,  to  exprefs  a  lo- 
ver's happinefs  or  hopes.  Flames,  cjarts,  arrows,  angi 
lightning  from  a  female  eye,  have  been  expreflions  as  old 
at  leaft  as  the  art  of  writing,  and  are  ftill  in  full  vogue. 


Letters  on  Marrtage[>(  i6| 

Some  of  tlicfe  we  can  find  no  other  fault  with  than  that 
they  are  a  little  outre  as  the  French  exprefs  it ;  but  I  conr 
fefs  I  have  fometimes  been  furprifed  at  the  choice  of  light- 
ping,  becaufe  it  is  capable  of  a  double  application,  and 
may  put  us  in  mind  that  fome  wives  have  lightning  in 
their  eyes  fufficient  to  terrify  a  hufband,  as  well  as  the 
maids  have  to  confume  a  lover. 

Does  not  all  this  plainly  fliow,  that  young  perfons  are 
apt  to  indulge  themfelves  with  romantic  expedations  of  a 
delight,  both  extatic  and  permanent,  fuch  as  never  did  and 
never  can  exift  ?  And  does  it  not  at  the  fame  time  ex- 
pofe  m.atrimony  to  the  feoffs  of  libertines,  who,  knowing 
that  ihefe  raptures  mufl  foon  come  to  an  end,  think  it 
fufBcient  to  difparage  the  ftate  itfelf,  that  fome  inconfide- 
rate  perfons  have  not  met  with  in  it,  what  it  was  never 
intended  to  bellow  ? 

I  proceed,  therefore,  to  obferve  that  there  is  not  by  far- 
fo  much  unhappinefs  in  the  married  flate  in  general,  as 
Joofe  authors  univerfally  fuppofe.  I  choofe  to  flate  the  ar- 
gument in  this  manner,  becaufe  it  is  much  more  fatisfy- 
ing  than  drawing  pi£lures  of  the  extremes  on  either  hand. 
It  fignifies  very  little,  on  the  one  hand,  to  defcribe  the 
flate  of  a  few  perfons  diftingiiifhed  for  underftanding,  fuc- 
cefsful  in  life,  refpe£led  by  the  public,  and  dear  to  one 
another  ;  or  on  the  other,  thofe  hateful  brawls  which  by 
and  by  produce  an  advertifement  in  the  news- papers, 
f'  Whereas  Sarah  the  wife  of  the  fubfcriber,  has  eloped 
*'  from  hfs  bed  and  board,"  &:.c.  If  we  would  treat  of  this 
matter  with  propriety,  we  muft  confider  how  it  flands 
among  the  bulk  of  mankind.  The  propofition,  then,  I 
mean  to  eftablifli,  is,  that  there  is  much  lefs  unhappinefs 
in  the  matrimonial  flate  than  is  often  apprehended,  and 
indeed  as  much  real  comfort  a§  there  is  any  ground  to  ex- 
pedl. 

To  fupport  this  truth,  I  obferve,  that  taking  mankind 
throughout,  we  find  much  more  fatisfadlion  and  chearful- 
nefs  in  the  married  than  in  the  fmgle.  In  proportion  to 
their  numbers,  I  think  of  thofe  that  are  grown  up  to  ma- 
turer  years,  or  pad  the  meridian  of  life,  there  is  a  much 
greater  degree  of  peeviflinefs  and  difcontent^  whimfical- 


^'66  Letters  on  Marriage] 

hefs  and  peculiarity,  in  the  lail:  than  in  the  firll.  The 
profpe(f-t  of  continuing  fingle  to  the  end  of  life,  narrows 
the  mind  and  clofes  the  heart.  I  knew  an  inflance  of  a 
'gentleman  of  good  eftate,  who  lived  fmgle  till  he  was  pall 
forty,  and  he  was  eftecmed  by  all  his  neighbors  not  only 
frugal,  but  mean  in  fome  parts  of  his  condu6l.  This  fame 
perfon  afterwards  marrying  and  having  children,  every 
body  obferved  that  he  became  liberal  and  open-hearted  on 
the  change,  when  one  would  have  thought  he  had  a  flrong- 
ger  motive  than  before,  to  fave  and  hoard  up.  On  this 
a  neighbor  of  his  made  a  remark,  as  a  philofopher,  that 
tvQxy  ultimate  pafiTion  is  ftronger  than  an  intermediate 
one  ;  that  a  fingle  perfon  loves  wealth  immediately,  and 
on  its  own  account  ;  whereas  a  parent  can  fcarcely  help 
preferring  his  children  before  it,  and  valuing  it  only  for 
their  fakes. 

This  leads  me  to  obferve,  that  marriage  muft  be  the 
fource  of  happinefs,  as  being  the  immediate  caufe  of  many 
other  relations,  the  moft  interefling  and  delightful.  I 
cannot  eafily  figure  to  myfelf  any  man  who  does  not  look 
upon  it  as  the  firft  of  earthly  blefHngs,  to  have  children, 
to  be  the  objecls  of  attachment  and  care  when  they  are 
young,  and  to  inherit  his  name  and  fubftance,  when  he 
himfeif  muft,  in  the  courfe  of  nature,  go  off  the  ftage. 
Does  not  this  very  circumflance  give  unfpeakable  dignity 
to  each  parent  in  the  other's  eye,  end  ferve  to  increafe 
and  confirm  that  union,  which  youthful  pafTion,  and  lefs 
durable  motives,  firft  occafioned  to  take  place  ?  I  rather 
choofe  to  mention  this  argument,  becaufe  neither  exalted 
underllandings,  nor  elegance  of  manners,  are  neceifary 
to  give  it  force.  It  is  felt  by  the  peafant  as  well  as  by  the 
nrince  ;  and,  if  we  believe  fome  obfervers  on  human  life, 
its  influence  is  not  lefs,  but  greater  in  the  lower  than  in 
the  higher  ranks. 

Before  I  proceed  to  any  further  remarks,  I  mufl  fay  a, 
few  wcrds,  to  prevent  or  remove  a  deception,  which  very 
probable  leads  many  into  error  on  this  fubjedt.  It  is  no 
other  than  a  man's  fuppofing  what  would  not  give  him 
happinefs,  cannot  give  it  to  another.  Becaufe,  perhaps, 
^here  are  few  married  womep,  whofe  perfons,  converfationj 


Letters  on  Marrwgel  iSj 

manners,  and  condudl,  are  altogether  to  his  tafle,  he  takes 
upon  him  to  conclude,  that  the  hufbands,  in  thefe  nume- 
rous inftances,  muft  lead  a  nnferable  life.  Is  it  needful 
to  fay  any  thing  to  fhow  the  fallacy  of  this  ?  The  taftes 
and  difpofitions  of  men  are  as  various  as  their  faces  ;  and 
therefore  what  is  difpleafmg  to  one,  may  be,  not  barely 
tolerable,  but  agreeable  to  another.  I  have  known  a  huf- 
band  delighted  with  his  wife's  fluency  and  poignancy  of 
fpeech  in  fcoldingher  fervants,  and  another  who  was  not 
able  to  bear  the  leaft  noife  of  the  kind  with  patience. 

Having  obviated  this  miftake,  it  will  be  proper  to  ob- 
ferve,  that  through  all  the  lower  and  middle  ranks  of  life, 
there  is  generally  a  good  meafure  of  matrimonial  or  do- 
meliic  comfort,  when  their  circumftances  are  eafy,  or  their 
eftate  growing.  This  is  eafily  accounted  for,  not  only 
from  their  being  free  from  one  of  the  mofl  ufual  caufcs  of 
peevifhnefs  and  difcontent,  but  becaufe  the  affairs  of  a 
family  are  very  feldom  in  a  thriving  Hate,  unlefs  both 
contribute  their  Ihare  of  diligence  ;  fo  that  they  have  not 
only  a  common  happinefs  to  fliare,  but  a  joint  merit  in 
procuring  it.  Men  may  talk  in  raptures  of  youth  and 
beauty,  wit  and  fprightlinefs,  and  a  hundred  other  Ihining 
qualities  ;  but  after  feven  years  cohabitation,  not  one  of 
them  is  to  be  compared  to  good  family  management, 
which  is  feen  at  every  meal,  and  felt  every  hour  in  the 
hulband's  purfe.  To  this,  however,  I  muft  apply  the  cau- 
tion given  above. — Such  a  wife  may  not  appear  quite 
killing  to  a  flranger  on  a  vifit.  There  are  a  few  diftin- 
guiflied  examples  of  women  of  the  firft  rate  underftand- 
ings,  who  have  all  the  elegance  of  court  breeding  in  the 
parlour,  and  all  the  frugality  and  a£livity  of  a  farmer's 
wife  in  the  kitchen  ;  but  I  have  not  found  this  to  be  the 
cafe  in  general.  I  learned  from  a  certain  author  many 
years  ago,  that  "  a  great  care  of  houlhold  aiFaiis  generally 
fpoils  the  free,  carelefs  air  of  a  fine  hdy  ;"  and  I  have 
feen  no  reafon  to  difbelieve  it  Once. 

Once  more,  fo  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  form  ^  judg- 
ment, wherever  there  is  a  great  and  confefled  fuperiority 
of  underftanding  on  one  fide,  with  fome  good  nature  on 
the  other,  there  is  domeftic  peace.     It  is  of  little  conf«. 


i6§  Letters  on  Marnagel 

quence  whether  the  fuperiority  be  on  the  fide  of  the  irlati 
or  woman,  provided  the  ground  of  it  be  manifefl.  The 
fierceil  contentions  are  generally  where  the  juft  title  to 
command  is  not  quite  clear.  I  am  fenfible  I  may  bring 
a  little  ridicule  upon  myfeff  here.  It  will  be  alledged  that 
I  have  clearly  eflablifhed  the  right  of  female  authority 
over  that  fpecies  of  hufbands,  known  by  the  name  of  hen- 
peckr.  But  I  beg  that  the  nature  of  my  pofition  may  be 
attentively  confidered.  I  have  faid,  "  Wherever  there  is 
a  great  and  confefled  fuperiority  of  underftanding.  Should 
not  a  man  comply  with  reafon,  when  offered  by  his  wife, 
as  well  as  any  body  elfe  ?  Or  ought  he  to  be  againft  reafon, 
becaufe  his  wife  is  for  it  ?  I  therefore  take  the  liberty  of 
refcuing  from  the  number  of  hen-peckt,  thofe  who  afk  the 
advice,  and  follow  the  diredlion  of  their  wives  in  moft 
cafes,  becaufe  they  are  really  better  than  any  they  could 
give  themfelves — referving  thofe  only  under  the  old  de- 
nomination, who,  through  fear,  are  fubjeft,  not  to  rea- 
fon, but  to  pafOon  and  ill-humor.  I  fhall  conclude  this 
obfervation  with  faying,  for  the  honour  of  the  female  fex^ 
that  I  have  known  a  great  number  of  inflances  of  juft  and 
amiable  condudl,  in  cafe  of  a  great  inequality  of  judgment, 
when  the  advantage  was  on  the  fide  of  the  woman,  than 
when  it  was  on  the  fide  of  the  man.  1  have  known  many 
women  of  judgment  and  prudence,  who  carried  it  with  the 
highefl:  refpecl  and  decency,  to  weak  and  capricious  huf- 
bands :  But  not  many  men  of  diflinguiflied  abilities,  who 
did  not  betray,  if  not  contempt,  at  leall  great  indifference^ 
towards  weak  or  trifling  wives. 

Some  other  things  I  had  intended  to  offer  upon  this 
fubje6l,  but  as  the  letter  has  been  drawn  out  to  a  greater 
length  than  I  expe6:ed,  and  they  will  come  in  with  at 
leafl  equal  propriety  under  other  maxims,  I  conclude  at 
prefent. 


Letters  on  Marriage,  169 


LETTER    li. 

3.  TT  Is  by  far  the  fafefl:  and  inoO:  promifing  way  to 
J_  marry  with  a  perlbn  nearly  equal  in  rank,  and  per- 
haps in  age  ;  but  if  there  is  to  be  a  difference,  the  rife  is 
much  greater  when  a  man  marries  below  his  rank,  than 
When  a  woman  deicends  from  hers. 

The  fird  part  of  this  maxim  has  been  in  fubdance  ad- 
vanced by  many  writers,  and  therefore  litde  will  need  to 
be  faid  upon  it.  I  muH:,  however,  explain  its  meaning, 
which  is  not  always  clearly  comprehended.  By  equality 
in  rank,  mud  be  underflood  equality  not  in  fortune,  but 
in  education,  tade  and  habits  of  life.  I  do  not  call  it  in- 
ieq-uality,  when  a  gentleman  of  edate  marries  a  lady  who 
has  been  from  the  beginning  brought  up  in  the  fame  clafs 
of  fociety  with  himfelf,  and  is  in  every  refpei5t  as  elegant 
in  her  fentiments  and  manners,  but  by  fome  incidents, 
that  perhaps  have  lately  happened,  is  unequal  to  him  ia 
point  of  fortune.  1  know  that  from  the  corrupt  and  felfifli 
views  which  prevail  fj  generally  in  the  world,  a  marriage 
of  this  kind  is  often  conddered  as  unequal,  and  an  aft  of 
great  condefcenfion^on  the  part  of  the  man  ;  but  the  fen- 
timentis  illiberal  and  unjud.  In  the  fame  manner,  when 
i  lady  marries  a  gentleman  of  charafter  and  capacity,  and 
is  in  every  refpeft  fuitable  to  her,  but  that  his  edate  is 
not  equal  to  what  fhe  might  expedl,  I  do  not  call  it  une- 
qual. It  is  true,  parents  too  frequently  prefer  circum- 
Jtances  to  charaivler,  and  the  female  friends  of  a  lady  at  her 
own  difpofal,  may  fay  in  fucli  a  cafe,  that  fhe  has  made 
a  poor  bargain.  But  taking  it  dill  for  granted  that  the 
fortime  only  is  unequal,  I  adirm  there  is  nothing  in  this 
circumdance  that  forebodes  future  diffenfion,  but  ratheu 
the  contrary.  An  adl  of  generodty  never  produced  a  fret- 
ful difpodtion  in  the  perfon  who  did  it,  nor  is  it  reafonable 
to  fa ppofe  it  will  oden  have  that  effed  on  the  one  who 
receives  it. 

The  importance,  therefore,  of  equality,  arifes  dngly 
/rom  this  circumdance — that  there  is  a  great  probability, 
'    Vol.  IV.  Y 


I'jo  Letters  on  Marriage, 

that  the  turn,  talle,  employments,  amufements,  and  gc^ 
neral  carriage  of  the  perfons  fo  intimately  joined,  and  h 
frequently  together  will  be  mutually  agreeable. 

The  occafion  or  motive  of  iiril  entering  into  the  mar- 
riage contra61:,  is  not  of  h  much  confequence  to  the  fe- 
licity  of  the  parties,  as  what  they  find  after  they  are  fairly 
engaged,  and  cannot  return  back.  When  I  vifit  a  new 
country,  my  judgment  of  it  may  be  influenced  a  little, 
but  neither  much  nor  long,  by  flattering  hopes  or  hide- 
ous apprehenfions,  erA-ertained  before  adual  trial.  It  has 
often  been  faid  that  diiTe^fions  between  m.arried  people, 
generally  take  their  rife  fi'om  very  inconfiderable  circum- 
itances  ;  to  v/hich  I  v\^ill  add,  that  this  is  01011  commonly 
the  cafe  among  perfons  of  fome  nation,  fenfe,  and  breed- 
ing. This  may  feem  odd,  but  the  diiHeulty  is  eafily  fol- 
ved.  Perfons  of  this  charaQer  have  a  delicacy  on  the  fub- 
ject  of  fo  clofe  an  union,  and  expect  a  fweetnefs  and  com- 
pliance in  matters  that  would  not  be  minded  by  the  vul- 
gar ;  fo  that  the  fmallnefs  of  the  clrcumfiance  appears  in 
their  eye  an  aggravation  of  the  olxence.  I  have  known 
a  gentleman  of  rank  and  his  lady  part  for  life,  by  a  dif- 
ference arifmg  from  a  thing  faid  at  fupper,  that  v/as  not 
{o  much  as  obferved  to  be  an  impropriety  hy  three  fourths 
of  the  company. 

This,  then,  is  what  I  apprehend  occafions  the  impor- 
tance of  equality  in  rank.  "Without  this  equality,  they 
do  not  underlland  one  another  fufTiciently  for  continual 
intercourfe.— Many  caufes  of  difference  will  arife,  not 
only  fudden  and  unexpecled,  but  impoffible  to  be  fore- 
^cQTi,  and  therefore  not  provided  againfl.  I  mufl;  alfo 
obferve,  that  an  explication  .or  expoftulation,  in  the  cafes 
here  in  view,  is  more  tedious  and  difficult  than  any  other 
— perhaps  more  dangerous  and  uncertain  in  the  iffue. 
How  fnaii  the  one  attempt  to  convince  tlie  olher  of  an  in- 
congruity of  behaviour,  in  what  all  their  former  ideas 
have  taught  them  to  believe  as  innocent  or  decent,  fome- 
times  even  laudable  ?  The  attempt  is  often  confidercd  as 
an  infult  on  their  former  Ration,  and  infieiid  of  producing 
concord,  lays  the  foundation  of  contiiiuril  folicitude,  or 
j,n.cre?ifinfT  rivcrfionr     A  man  may  be  guilty  of  fpeaking 


Letters  on  Marriage,  i7t 

very  unadvifedly  through  intemperate  mge,  or  may  per- 
haps come  home  fliidered  with  liquor,  and  his  wife,  if 
prudent,  may  find  a  feafon  for  mentioning  them,  when 
the  admonition  will  be  received  with  cahnnefs,  and  fol- 
lowed by  reformation  ;  but  if  flie  difcovers  her  difplea- 
fure  at  rufticity  of  carriage,  or  ineannefs  offentiment,  I 
think  there  is  little  hope  that  it  will  have  any  effect  that  is 
good.  The  habit  cannot  be  mended  ;  yet  he  may  have 
fagacity  enough  to  fee  that  the  wife  of  his  bofom  has  de- 
fpifed  him  in  her  heart, 

I  am  going  to  put  a  cafe.    Suppofe  that  the  late * — , 

who  acquired  fo  vail  an  eflate,  had  married  a  lady  of  the 
firft  rank,  education,  and  taile,  and  that  fhe  had  learned 
a  few  anecdotes  of  his  public  fpeeches — that  he  fpoke  of 
this  here  report  of  that  there  committee — or  of  a  man's 
being  drowned  on  the  coaft  of  the  Island  of  Pennfylvania. 
Now,  I  defire  to  know  how  flie  could  help  pouting,  and  be- 
ing a  little  out  of  humor,  efpecially  if  he  came  home  full  of 
inward  fatisfadlion,  and  was  honeilly  of  opinion  that  he 
fpoke  equally  as  well  as  any  other  in  the  houfe  ?  That 
things  may  be  fairly  balanced,  I  will  put  another  cafe. 
Suppofe  a  gentleman  of  rank,  literature,  and  tafte,  has 
married  a  tradefman's  daughter  for  the  fake  of  fortune,  or 
from  defire,  which  he  calls  love,  kindled  by  an  acciden- 
tal glance  of  a  frefli-colored  young  woman  :  Suppofe  her 
never  to  have  had  the  opportunity  of  being  in  what  the 
world  calls  good  company,  and  in  confequence  to  b* 
v/holly  ignorant  of  the  modes  that  prevail  there  ;  Suppofe, 
at  the  fame  time,  that  her  underftanding  has  never  been 
enlarged  by  reading,  or  converfation.  In  fuch  a  cafe, 
how  foon  mud  paiTion  be  fated,  and  what  innumerable 
caufes  of  (liame  and  mortification  muft  every  day  pro- 
duce  ?  I  am  not  certain  v/hether  the  difficulty  will  be 
greater,  if  (he  continues  the  manners  of  her  former,  or  at- 
tempts to  put  on  thofe  of  her  prefent  flation.  If  any  man 
thinks  that  he  can  eafily  preferve  the  efteem  and  atten- 
tion due  to  a  wife  in  fuch  circumdances,  he  will  proba- 
bly be  miftaken,  and  no  lefs  (o  if  he  expedls  to  communi- 
cate refinement  by  a  few  leffons,  or  prevent  milbehavior 
by  fretfulnefs,  or  peevifli  and  fatirical  remarksa 


172  Letters  on  Marriage. 

But  let  me  come  nqvv  to  the  latter  part  of  the  maxirn^ 
which  I  do  not  remember  to  have  ever  met  with  in  any 
author — that  there  is  a  much  greater  riflv  when  a  man 
marries  below  his  rank,  tlian  when  a  woman  marries 
below  her's.  As  to  the  matter  of  fad,  it  depends  entirely 
pn  the  juftnefs  and  accuracy  of  my  obfervations,  of  which 
every  reader  mu(l  be  left  to  judge  for  himfelf.  I  mud, 
however,  take  notice,  that  when  I  fpeak  of  a  woman 
marrying  below  her  Nation,  I  have  no  view  at  ?.ll  to  in- 
clude what  there  have  been  fome  examples  of — a  gentle- 
man's daughter  running  away  with  her  father's  footman, 
or  a  lady  of  quality  with  a  pla3^er,  this  is,  in  every  in- 
itance,  an  aft  of  pure  lafcivioufnefs,  and  is,  without  any 
exception  that  ever  I  heard  of  followed  by  immediate 
fliame  and  future  beggary.-— It  hss  not,  however,  any 
more  connexion  with  marriage,  than  the  tranfadlions  of 
a  brothel,  or  th^  memoirs  of  a  kept  millrefs.  The  truth 
5s,  elopements  in  general  are  things  of  an  eccentric  na- 
ture :  And  when  I  hear  of  one,  I  feklom  make  any  fur- 
ther enquiry  after  the  felicity  of  the  parties.  But  when 
marriages  are  cpntradled  v/ith  any  degree  of  deliberation, 
if  there  be  a  difference  in  point  of  rank,  I  think  it  is 
much  better  the  advantage  fhould  be  on  the  woman's  fide 
than  on  the  man's  :  that  is  to  fay,  marriages  of  the  firfl 
kind  are  ufually  more  happy  than  the  other. 

Suppofmg,  therefore,  the  faftto  be  as  now  ftated,  v/hat 
remains  for  me  is,  to  invefligate  a  little  the  caufes  of  it, 
and  pointed  out  thofe  circurnftances  in  human  tempers 
and  charaders,  or  in  the  flate  of  fociety,  which  give  us 
reafon  to  expedl  that  it  will,  in  mofl:  cafes  turn  out  fo. 
Whenever  any  elFed  is  general,  in  the  moral  as  well 
as  natural  world,  there  muft  be  fome  permanent  caufe, 
or  caufes,  fufficient  to  account  for  it.  Shall  we  afTign  as 
one  reafon  for  it,  diat  there  is,  taking  them  complexly, 
onore  cf  real  virtue  and  commanding  principle  in  the 
female  fex  than  in  the  male,  which  makes  them,  upon  the 
whole,  a6l  a  better  part  in  the  married  relation  ?  I  will 
not  undertake  to  prove  this  opinion  to  be  true,  and  fi.ir 
lefs  will  I  attempt  to  refute  ii,  or  fliow  it  to  be  falfe. 
Many  authors   of  great  penetration  have  afTirmed  it  ; 


Letters  on  Marriage.  i^^ 

and  doubtlefs  taking  virtue  to  be  the  fame  thing  with  found 
faith  and  good  morals,  much  may  be  faid  in  its  fivor. 
But  there  does  not  appear  to  me  fo  great  a  fuperiority  in 
this  refpedl,  as  fully  to  account  for  the  effcdl  in  quellion. 
Befides,  the  advantages  which  men  have  in  point  of  know- 
ledge, from  the  ufual  courfe  of  education,  may  perhaps 
balance  the  fuperiority  of  women,  in  point  of  virtue  ; 
for  none  furely  can  deny,  that  matrimonial  difcord  may 
not  arife  from  ignorance  and  folly,  as  well  as  vice.  Al- 
lowing, therefore,  as  much  influence  to  this  caufe,  as 
every  one  from  his  experience  and  obfervation  may  think 
its  due,  I  beg  leave  to  fuggell  fome  other  things  which 
certainly  do  co-operate  with  it,  and  augment  its  force. 

I.  It  is  much  eafier,  in  mod  cafes,  for  a  man  to  im- 
prove or  rife  after  marriage  to  a  more  elegant  tafte  in  life 
than  a  woman.  I  do  not  attribute  this  in  the  leall  to 
fuperior  natural  talents,  but  to  the  more  frequent  oppor- 
tunities he  has  of  feeing  the  world,  and  converfmg  with 
perfons  of  different  ranks.  There  is  no  inllance  in  Vv'hich 
the  fphere  of  bufmefs  and  converfation  is  not  more  ex  ten- 
five  to  the  hulband  than  the  wife  ;  and  therefore  if  a  man 
is  married  to  one  of  tafle  fuperior  to  his  own,  he  may 
draw  gradually  nearer  to  her,  though  fhe  defcend  very  lit- 
tle. I  think  I  can  recolle6t  more  indances  than  one  of  a 
man  in  bufinefs  mar.ied  at  iirfl:  to  his  equal,  and,  on  a 
fecond  marriage,  to  one  of  higher  breeding,  when  not 
only  the  houfe  and  family,  but  the  man  himfelf,  was 
fpedily  in  a  very  different  flyle.  I  can  alfo  recollect  in- 
ftances  in  which  married  perfons  rofe  together  to  an  opu- 
lent eftate  from  almofl:  nothing,  and  the  man  improved 
confiderably  in  politenefs,  or  fitnefs  for  public  life,  but 
the  woman  not  at  all.  The  old  goffips  and  the  old  con- 
verfation continued  to  the  very  laft.  It  is  not  even 
without  example,  that  a  plain  woman,  raifed  by  the  fuc- 
cefs  of  her  hufband,  becomes  impatient  of  the  fociety 
forced  upon  her,  takes  refuge  in  the  kitchen,  and  fpeuds 
mod  of  her  a^^reeable  hours  with  her  fervants,  from  whom, 
indeed,  fhe  differs  nothing  but  in  name.  A  certain  perfon 
iin  a  trading  city  in  Great-Britaian,  from  being  merely  a 


x74  Letters  on  Marriage, 

mechanic,  turned  dealer,  and  in  a  courfe  of  years  acqui- 
red an  immenie  fortune.  He  had  a  flrong  defire  that  his 
family  fliould  make  a  figure,  and  fpared  no  expence  in 
purchafino:  velvets,  filks,  laces,  &c.  but  at  lafl:  he  found 
that  it  was  loft  labor,  and  faid  very  truly,  that  all  the  mo- 
ney in  Great-Britain  would  not  make  his  wife  and  his 
ddiughtcrs  ladies.      *^        >.     <•  -^  -^^ 

2.  When  a  woman  marries  below  her  rank,  I  think    it 
is,  generally  fpeaking,  upon  better  motives  than  when  a 
man  marries  below  his,  and  therefore  no  wonder  that  it 
fliould  be  attended  with  greater  comfort.    I  find  it  afferted 
in  feveral  papers  of  theSpedator,  and  I  think  it  mud  be 
jidmitted  by  every  impartial  obferver,  that  women  are  not 
half  fo  much  governed,  in  their  love   attachments,  by 
beauty,  or  outward  form,  as  men.    A  man  of  a  very  mean 
figure,  if  he  has  any  talents,  joined  to  a  tolerable  power  of 
fpeech,  will  often  make  him  acceptable  to  a  very  lovely 
woman.  It  is  alfo  generally  thought  that  a  woman  rates  a 
man  pretty  much  according  to  the  efieem  he  is  held  in  by 
his  own  fex  :  if  this  is  the  cafe,  it  is  to  be  prefumed  that 
when  a  man  fucceeds  in  his  addrefi'es  to  a  lady  of  higher 
breeding  than  his  own,  he  is  not  altogether  void  of  merit, 
and  therefore  will  not  in  the  iffue  difgrace  her  choice. — 
This  will  be  confirmed  by  reflecting  that  many  fuch  mar- 
riages mufi:  be  with  perfons  of  the  learned  profeffions,  it  is 
paft  a  doubt  that  literature  refines  as  well  as  enlarges  the 
mind,  and  generally  renders  a  man  capable  of  appearing 
with  tolerable  dignity,  whatever  have  been  the  place  or  cir- 
cumilances  of  his  birth.     It  is  eafy  to  fee  that  the  reverie 
of  all  this  mud  happen  upon  the  other  fuppofition  :  When 
a  man  marries  below  his  rank,  the  very  befl;  motive  to 
which  it  can  be  attributed,  is  an  admiration  of  her  beauty. 
Good  fenfe,  and  other  more  valuable  qualities  are  not  eali 
ly  feen  under  the  diiguife  of  low  breeding,  and  when  they 
are  feen,  have  feldom  jullice  done  them.     Now  as  beauty 
is  much  more  fading  than  life,  and  fades  fooner  in  a  huf- 
band's  eye  than  any  other,  in  a  litde  time  nothing  will 
remain  but  what  tends  to  create  uneafinefs  and  difguft. 

3.  The  poflelRon  of  the  graces,  or  tafte  and  elegance  of 
manners,  is  a  much  more  important  part  of  a  female  tham 


Letters  on  Mary 2 age.  t*js 

a  male  chara(5ler.  Nature  has  given  a  much  greater  de- 
gree of  beauty  and  fweetnefs  to  the  outward  form  of  wo- 
men than  of  men,  and  has  by  that  means  pointed  out 
wherein  their  feveral  excellencies  fhould  confifl.  From 
this,  in  conjunftion  with  the  former  obfervaticn,  it  is  ma* 
nifefi,  that  the  man  who  finds  in  his  wife  a  remarkable 
defedl  in  point  of  politenefs,  or  the  art  of  pleafmg,  will  be 
much  more  difappointed  than  the  woman  who  finds  a  like 
defe6l  in  her  hufband.  Many  do  not  form  any  expedla- 
tion  of  refinement  in  their  hufoands,  even  before  marri- 
age :  not  a  few,  if  I  am  not  much  millaken,  are  rather 
pleafed  than  otherwife,  to  think  that  any  who  enters  the 
houfe,  perceives  the  difference  betv^^een  the  elegance  of  the 
wife,  and  the  plainnefs,  not  to  fay  the  aukwardnefs  of  the 
huiband.  I  have  obferved  this,  even  down  to  the  loweit 
rank.  A  tradefman  or  country  farmer's  wife  will  fome- 
times  abufe  and  fccld  her  huiband  for  want  of  order  or 
cleanlinefs,  and  there  is  no  mark  of  inward  malice  or  ill- 
humor  in  that  fcolding,  becaufe  ilie  is  fenfible  it  is  her  pro- 
per province  to  be  accurate  in  that  matter.  I  think  alfo, 
that  the  hufband  in  fuch  cafes  is  often  gratified  inflead  of 
being  offended,  becaufe  it  pleafes  him  to  think  that  he  has 
a  wife  that  does  juft  as  flie  ought  to  do.  But  take  the 
thing  the  other  way,  and  there  is  no  rank  of  life,  from  the 
prince  to  the  peafant,  in  which  the  hufoand  can  take  plea- 
sure in  a.  wife  more  aukward  or  more  flovenly  than  him- 
fclf- 

To  fum  up  the  whole,  if  fome  conformity  or  fimilarlty 
of  manners  is  of  the  utmoft  confequence  to  matrimonial 
comfort — if  tafle  and  elegance  are  of  more  confequence 
to  the  wife  than  the  hufband,  according  to  their  flation  : 
— and,  if  it  is  more  difficult  for  her  to  acquire  it  after  mar- 
riage^ if  file  does  not  pofTefs  it  before — I  humbly  conceive 
I  have  fully  fupportecl  my  propofition,  that  there  is  a  much 
greater  rifle  in  a  man's  marrying  below  his  flation,  than 
a  woman's  defcending  from  her's. 


1^6  Letters  on  Maniagr. 


LETTER  III. 

1HAVE  not  yet  clone  with  the  maxims  on  raatrimonia! 
happinefs;  therefore  obferve, 

4.  That  it  is  not  by  far  of  fo  much  confeqiience,  what 
are  the  talents,  temper,  turn  of  mind,  character,  or  cir- 
cumflances  of  both  or  either  of  the  parties,  as  that  there 
be  a  certain  fuitablenefs  or  correlpondence  of  thofe  of  the 
one  to  thofe' of  the  other. 

Thofe  eflay  writers,  who  have  taken  human  nature  and 
life  as  their  great  general  fubjei^,  have  many  remarks  on 
the  caufes  of  infelicity  in  the  marriage  union,  as  well  as 
many  beautiful  and  ftriking  pictures  of  what  would  be  jull, 
generous,  prudent,  and  dutiful  condudl,  or  their  contraries, 
in  particular  circumllances.  Great  pains  have  been  taken 
alfo  to  point  out  what  ought  to  be  the  motives  of  choice 
to  both  parties,  if  they  exped  happinefs.  Without  en- 
tering into  a  full  detail  of  what  has  been  faid  upon  this 
fubjed,  I  think  the  two  chief  competitors  for  preference, 
have  generally  been — good  nature  and  good  fenfe.  The 
advocates  for  the  firO:  fay,  that  as  the  happinefs  of  married 
people  muft  arife  from  a  continual  interchange  of  kind 
offices,  and  from  a  number  of  fmall  circumftances,  that 
occur  every  hour,  a  gentle  and  eafy  difpofition — a  temper 
that  is  happy  in  itfelf — mud  be  the  caufe  of  happinefs  to 
another.  I'he  advocates  for  good  fenfe  fay,  that  the  fweet- 
nefs  of  good  nature  is  only  for  the  honey-moon  ;  that  it 
will  either  change  its  nature,  and  become  four  by  long- 
flanding,  or  become  wholly  infipid  ;  fo  that  if  it  do  not 
generate  hatred,  it  will  at  leail  incur  indifference  or  con- 
tempt ;  whereas  good  fenfe  is  a  flerling  quality,  which 
cannot  fail  to  produce  and  preferve  edeem- — the  true  foun- 
dation of  rational  love. 

If  I  may,  as  I  believe  mod  people  do,  take  the  pre- 
vailing fentiments  within  the  compafs  of  my  own  read- 
ing and  converfation,  for  the  general  opinion,  I  think  it 
i§  in  favour  of  good  fenfe.  And  if  w^e  mud  determine 
between  thefe  two,  and  decide  which  of  the^.  h  of  th^ 


Letters  on  Marriages  J7y* 

mbfl  importance  when  feparated  from  the  other,  I  have 
very  little  to  fay  againft  the  public  judgment.  But  in 
this,  as  in  many  other  cafes,  it  is  only  imperfedl  and  ge- 
neral, and  often  ill  underflood  and  falfely  applied.  There 
is  hardly  a  more  noted  faying  than  that  a  man  of  fenfe 
will  never  ufe  a  woman  ill,  which  is  true  or  falfe  accord- 
ing to  the  meaning  that  is  put  upon  the  phrafe,  using  a 
*u?oman  ilL  If  it  be  meant,  that  he  v/ill  not  fo  probably 
beat  his  wife,  as  a  fool ;  that  he  will  not  fcold  or  curfe 
her,  or  treat  her  with  ill  manners  before  company,  or  in- 
deed that  he  will  not  fo  probably  keep  a  continual  wrang- 
ling, either  in  public  or  private,  I  admit  that  it  is  true. 
Good  fenfe  is  the  belt  fecurity  againft  indecorums  of  eVery 
kind.  But  if  it  be  meant,  that  a  man  will  not  make  his 
wife  in  any  cafe  truly  miferable,  I  utterly  deny  it.  On 
the  contrary,  there  are  many  inftances  in  which  men 
itiake  ufe  of  their  fenfe  itfelf,  their  judgment,  penetration, 
and  knowledge  of  human  life,  to  make  their  wives  more 
cxquifitely  unhappy.  What  (hall  we  fay  of  thofe,  whd 
can  lling  them  with  reflexions  fo  artfully  guarded  that  it 
is  impoffible  not  to  feel  them,  and  yet  ahnoll  as  impollible 
with  propriety  to  complain  of  them  ? 

1  mull  alfo  obferve,  that  a  high  degree  of  delicacy  in 
fentiment,  although  this  is  the  prevailing  ingredient  when 
men  attempt  to  paint  refined  felicity  in  the  married  (late, 
is  one  of  the  mod  dangerous  qualities  that  can  be  men- 
tioned. It  is  like  certain  medicines  that  are  powerful  ih 
their  operation,  but  at  the  fame  time  require  the  utmoft 
caution  and  prudence,  as  to  the  time  and  manner  of  theif 
being  applied.-— A  man  or  woman  of  extreme  delicacy  is 
a  delightful  companion  for  a  vifit  or  a  day.  But  there 
are  many  characters  which  I  would  greatly  prefer  in  a 
partner,  or  a  child,  or  other  near  relation,  in  whofe  per- 
manent happinefs  I  felt  myfelf  deeply  concerned.  I  hope 
no-body  will  think  me  fo  clownifh  as  to  exclude  fentiment 
altogether.  I  have  declared  my  opinion  upon  this  fub- 
jedt,  and  alfo  my  defire  that  the  woman  ihould  be  the  more 
refined  of  the  two.  But  I  adhere  to  it,  that  carrying  this 
matter  to  an  extreme  is  of  the  molt  dangerous  confe- 
quence.      Your  high  fentimentalilts  form  expectation^ 

Vol.  IV.  Z 


lyB  Letters  on  Marriage, 

which  it  is  impoffible  to  gratify.  The  gallantry  of  court- 
Jliip,  and  the  bie?iseance  of  general  converfation  in  the 
beau  monde,  feeni  to  promife  what  the  downright  reality 
of  nnatrimony  cannot  afford. 

I  will  here  relate  a  cafe  that  fell  within  my  obfervation. 
A  perfon  of  noble  birth  had  been  fome  years  married  to 
a  merchant's  daughter  of  immenfe  fortune,  by  which  his 
eftate  had  been  faved  from  ruin.    Her  education  had  been 
as  good  as  money  could  make  it,  from  her  infancy  :    io 
that  (lie  knew  every  mode  of  high  life  as  well  as  he.   They 
were  upon  a  vilit  to  a  family  of  equal  rank,   intimately 
connedied  with  the  author  of  this  letter.       The   manner 
of  the  man  was  difiinguilhed  and  exemplary.      His  be- 
havior to  his  lady  was  with  the  moll  perfedl  delicacy.   He 
fpoke  to  her  as  often  as  to  any  other,  and  treated  iier  not 
only  with  the  fame  complacency,  but  with  the  fame  de- 
cency and  referve,  that  he  did  other  ladies.     To  this  he 
added  the  mofl  tender  folicitude  about  her  not  taking  cold, 
about  her  place  in  the  chamber,  and  her  covering  when 
going  abroad,  &c,  &c.     After  their  departure,  the  whole 
family  they   had  left  excepting  one,  were  two  or    three 
days  expatiating  on  the  beauty  of  his  behavior.   One  lady 
in 'particular  laid  at  lall,  ''Oh!   how  happy   a   married 
woman  have  1  feen."     The  fuigle  diflcnter,   w^ho  was  an 
elderly  won^an,  then  faid,  "  Well ;  you  may  be  right  ; 
but  I  am  of  a  different  opinion,   i  do  not   like  fo  perfect 
and  iinifhed  a  ceremonial  between  perfons  who  have  been 
married  five  or  fix  years  at  leall.     1  obferved  that  he  did 
everything  that  he  ought  to  have  done,and  likewife  that  fhe 
received   his  civilities  with  much  dignity  and  good  man- 
ners, but  with  great  gravity.      1  would   rather  have    {c^n 
him  lefs  pun6lnal  and  her  more  cheerful.     If,  therelbre, 
that  lady  is  as   happy  in   her  heart,  as  you  fuppofe  I  am 
miftaken  ;   that  is  all.      But  if  I  were  to  make  a  bet  upon 
it,  I  would  bet  as  much  up  the  tradefman  and  his  wife, 
according  to  the  common  defcription,  walking  to  church, 
the  one  three  or  lour  yards  beiore  the  other,  and   never 
looking  back."     What  did  time  difcover  ?  That  noble- 
man and  his  lady  parted  within  two  years,  and  never  re- 
united. 


Letters  on  Marriage,  lyp 

Let  me  now  eflablifh  my  maxim,  that  it  is  not  the  fine 
qualites  of  both  or  either  party  that  will  infure  happinefs, 
bat  that  the  one  be  fuitable  to  the  other.  By  their  being 
I'uitable,  is  not  to  be  underftood  their  being  both  of  the 
fame  turn  ;  but  that  the  defL^dls  of  the  one  be  fupplied  or 
fubmitted  to  by  fome  correfpondent  quahty  of  the  other. 
I  think  I  have  feen  many  inflances,  in  which  gravity,  fe- 
verity,  and  even  morofenefs  in  a  hufband,  where  there  has 
been  virtue  at  bottom,  has  been  fo  tempered  with  meek- 
nefs,  gentlenefs  and  comphance  in  the  wife,  as  has  pro- 
duced real  and  lalling  comfort  to  boih.  I  have  alfo  leeu 
fome  inflances,  in  which  fournefs,  and  want  of  female  foft- 
nefs  in  a  woman,  has  been  fo  happily  compenfated  by  ea- 
fmefs  and  good  humor  in  a  hufband,  that  no  appearance 
of  wrangling  or  hatred  was  to  be  feen  in  a  Vv'hole  life.  I 
have  feen  multitudes  of  inlhmces,  in  which  vulgarity,  and 
even  liberal  freedom,  not  far  from  brutality  in  a  hulband, 
has  been  borne  with  perfedl  patience  and  ferenity  by  a 
wife, -who,  by  long  cullom,  had  become,  as  it  were,  infen- 
fjble  of  the  impropriety,  and  yet  never  inattentive  to  her 
own  behavior. 

As  a  farther  iiluftration,  I  will  relate  two  or  three  cafes 
from  real  life,  which  have  appeared  to  me  the  moll  fingular 
in  my  experience.  I  fpent  fome  time,  many  years  ago, 
in  the  neighborhood  of,  and  frequent  intercourfe  with, 
a  hufband  and  his  wife  in  the  following  fiate.  She  was 
not  handfome,  and  at  the  fame  time  was  valetudinary, 
fretful  and  peevifh —  conflantly  talking  of  her  ailments, 
dilFatisfied  with  every  thing  about  her,  and,  what  appeared 
molt  furprifmg,  flie  vented  thefe  complaints  ifioff  when  her 
hulband  was  prefent.  He,  on  the  other  hand,  v/as  moil: 
affedlionate  and  fympathifing,  conflantly  upon  the  watch 
for  any  thing  that  could  gratify  her  defires,  or  alleviate  her 
diilreffes.  The  appearance  for  a  while  furprized  me,  and 
I  thought  he  led  the  life  of  a  Have.  But  at  laft  i  dif- 
covered  that  there  are  two  v/ays  of  complaining,  not  fud- 
denly  diflinj^uifliable  to  common  obfervers  :  The  one  is 
an  expreffion  of  confidence,  and  the  other  of  difcontent. 
When  a  woman  opens  all  her  complaints  to  her  hufband, 
ill  full  confidence  that  he  will  fympathize  with  her,  and 


iS^  Letters  on  Marriage, 

feeking  the  relief  which  fuch  fympathy  affords,  taking  care 
to  keep  to  the  proportion  which  experience  hath  taught  her 
will  not  be  difagreeable  to  him,  it  frequently  increafes  in- 
flead  of  extingulfliing  affedion. 

Take  another  cafe  as  follows  :  Syrifca  was  a  young  wo- 
man the  reverfe  of  beauty.  She  got  her  living  in  a  tra- 
ding city,  by  keeping  a  la^all  ftiop,  not  of  tlie  millinary 
kind^  which  is  nearly  allied  to  elegance  and  high  life,  but 
of  common  grocery  goods,  fo  that  the  poor  were  her  chief 
cuflomers. 

By  the  death  of  a  brother  in  the  Eaft-Indies,  (lie  came 
fuddenly  and  unexpectedly  to  a  fortune  pf  many  thoufand 
pounds.  The  moment  thi^  was  known,  a  knight's  lady 
in  the  neighborhood  deflined  Syrifca  as  a  prize  for  HoratiOj 
her  own  brother,  of  the  miUtary  profeffion,  on  half  pay, 
and  rather  pail  the  middle  of  life.  For  this  pnrpofe  flie 
made  her  a  vifit,  carried  her  to  her  houfe,  aOjiled,  no  doubt, 
in  bringing  home  ai|:id  properly  fecuring  her  fortune  ;  and 
in  as  fhort  a  time  as  could  well  be  expelled,  completed  her 
purpofe-  They  lived  together  on  an  ^(late  in  the  country, 
often  vifited  by  the  great  relations  of  the  hufband.  Syrif- 
<:a  was  good  natured  and  talkative,  and  therefore  often 
betrayed  the  meannefs  of  her  birth  and  education,  but  was 
not  fenfible  of  it.  Good  v/ill  fupplied  the  plape  of  good 
breeding  with  her,  and  (he  did  not  knpw  the  difference, 
Horatio  had  generofity  and  good  fenfe,  treated  her  with 
the  greatefl  tendernefs,  and  having  a  great  fund  of  face- 
tioufnefs  and  good  humor,  acquired  a  happy  talent  pf  gi- 
ving a  lively  or  fprightly  turn  to  every  thing  fs^id  by  his 
wife,  or  diverting  the  attention  of  the  company  to  other 
fuhjedts.  The  reader  will  probably  fay,  he  took  the  way 
that  was  pointed  put  by  reafon  and  was  moft  conducive  to 
his  own  comfort.  I  lay  fo  too  ;  but  at  the  fame  time  af- 
Jrm,  that  there  are  muhitudes  who  cou|d  not,  or  would 
pot  have  followed  his  example. 

I  give  one  piece  of  hiRory  more,  but  with  fome  fear, 
that  nice  readers  will  be  offended,  and  call  it  a  caricature. 
However,  let  it  go.  Agrellis  was  a  gentleman  of  an  an- 
pient  family,  but  the  cflate  was  almod  gone  ;  little  more 
pf  it  reinained  biit  what  he  farmed  hinifelfj  j^ncl  inideedi 


Letters  on  Marriage^  l5| 

Jiis  habitation  did  not  differ  from  that  of  a  farmer,  but  by 
having  an  old  tower  and  battlements.  He  had  either  re- 
ceived no  education,  or  had  been  incapable  of  profiting 
by  it,  for  he  was  the  mod  illiterate  perfon  I  ever  knew, 
who  kept  any  company.  His  converfation  did  not  rife 
even  to  politics,  for  he  found  fuch  infuperable  difficulty  in 
pronouncing  the  names  of  generals,  admirals,  countries, 
and  cities,  conftantly  occurring  in  the  newfiDapers,  that  he 
was  obliged  to  give  them  up  altogether.  Of  ploughs,  wag- 
gons, cows,  and  horfes,  he  knew  as  much  as  mofl  men  : 
What  related  to  thefe,  with  the  prices  of  grain,  and  the 
news  of  births  and  marriages  in  the  parifh  and  neighbor- 
hood, completed  the  circle  of  his  converfation. 

About  the  age  of  forty  he  married  Lenia,  a  young  wo* 
man  of  a  family  equal  to  him  in  rank,  but  fomewhat  fupe- 
rior  in  wealth.  She  knew  a  little  more  of  the  ftrain  of 
fafliionable  converfation,  and  not  a  whit  more  of  any  thing 
elfe.  She  was  a  flattern  in  her  perfon,  and  of  confequence 
there  was  neither  cleanlinefs  nor  order  in  the  family. 
They  had  many  children  ;  Ihe  bore  him  twins  twice — a 
circumftance  of  which  he  was  very  proud,  and  frequently 
boalled  of  it  in  a  manner  not  over  delicate  to  thofe  who 
had  not  been  fo  fortunate  in  that  particular.  They  were 
both  good  natured  and  hofpitable  ;  if  a  ftranger  came  he 
was  made  heartily  welcome,  though  fometimes  a  little  in- 
commoded by  an  uproar  among  the  children  and  the  dogs, 
when  driving  about  the  fire  in  a  cold  day  ;  the  noife  was, 
however,  little  lefs  diffonant  than  the  clamors  of  Agreftis 
himfelf,  when  rebuking  the  one,  or  chaftening  the  other, 
out  of  complaifance  to  his  gcefis.  The  couple  lived  many 
years  in  the  moft  perfect  amity  by  their  being  perfedly 
fuitable  the  one  to  the  other,  and  I  am  confident  not  a  wo- 
man envied  the  wife,  nor  a  man  the  hulband,  while  the 
union  lafted^ 

It  is  very  eafy  to  fee  from  thefc  examples,  the  vafl  im- 
portance of  the  temper  and  manner  of  the  one,  being  truly 
fuitable  to  thofe  of  the  other.  If  I  had  not  given  hillories 
enough  already,  I  could  mention  fome  in  which  each 
party  I  think  could  have  made  fome  other  man  or  woman 
perfe;^ly  happy,  and  yet  t(iey  never  could  arrive  at  hap. 


^^2  Letters  on  Marriage* 

pinefs,  or  Indeed  be  at  peace  with  one  another.  Certain, 
ly,  therefore,  this  fliould  be  an  objeft  particularly  attend- 
ed to  in  courtfhips,  or  while  marriage  is  on  the  tapis^  as 
politicians  fay.' 

If  I  looi^  out  for  a  wife,  f  ouc^ht  to  confider,  not  whether 
a  lady  has  fine  qualities  for  which  Ihe  ought  to  bs  efteemcd 
or  admired,  or  whether  flie  has  fuch  a  deportment  as  I 
will  take  particular  delight  in,  and  fuch  a  taile  as  gives  rea- 
fon  to  think  flie  \n\\  take  delight  in  me  ;  I  may  pitch  too 
high,  as  well  as  too  low,  and  the  iflTue  may  be  equally  un- 
fortunate. Perhaps  I  fliall  be  told  there  lies  the  great 
difficulty.  How  lliall  we  make  this  difcovery  ?  In  time 
of  youth  and  courtlhip,  there  is  io  much  iludied  atten- 
tion to  pleafe,  from  interefted  views,  and  fo  much  rellraint 
from  falhion  and  the  obfervation  of  others,  that  it  is  hard 
to  judge  how  they  will  turn  out  afterwards. 

This  I  confefs  to  be  a  confiderable  difficulty,  and  at  the 
fame  time  greatell  upon  the  man's  fide.  The  man  being 
generally  the  eldeft,  his  character,  temper  and  habits  may 
be  more  certainly  known. — Whereas  there  are  fometimes 
great  difappolntments  on  the  other  fide,  and  that  happily 
both  ways.  I  am  able  jufi  now  to  recollect  one  or  two 
inflances  of  giddy  and  foolifti,  nay,  of  idle,  lazy,  drowfy 
girls,  who,  after  marriage,  felt  themfelves  interefted,  and 
became  as  fpirited  and  active  heads  of  families,  as  any 
whatever,  and  alfo  fome  of  the  mofi:  elegant  and  exem- 
plary, who,  after  marriage,  fell  into  a  languid  flupidity, 
and  contracted  habits  of  the  moll  odious  and  difgullful 
kind.  Thefe  inllances,  however  are  rare,  and  thofe  who 
will  take  the  pains  to  examine,  may  in  general  obtain  fa- 
tisfadion.  It  is  alfo  proper  to  obferve,  that  if  a  man  finds 
it  difficult  to  judge  of  the  temper  and  character  of  a  wo^ 
man,  he  has  a  great  advantage  on  his  fide,  that  the  right 
of  feledion  belongs  to  him.  He  may  afk  any  woman  he 
pleafes,  after  the  moll  mature  deliberation,  and  need  aik 
no  other  ;  whereas  a  woman  mull  make  the  befi:  choice 
fhe  can,  of  thofe  only  who  do  or  probably  will  afi:  her. 
But  with  thefe  refledions  in  our  view,  what  fhall  we  fay 
of  the  inconceivable  folly  of  thofe,  who,  in  time  of  court- 
iliip,  are  every  now  and  then  taking  things  in  high  dud- 
geon, and  fometimes  very  great  fubmiffions  are  necefiary 


'Letters  on  Marriage.  18^ 

to  make  up  the  breaches  ?  If  fuch  perrons  marry,  and  do 
not  agree,  fhall  we  pity  them  ?  I  think  not.  After  the 
mod  ferene  courtfhip,  there  may  poflibly  be  a  rough 
enough  pallage  through  life  ;  but  after  a  courtfhip  of 
ftorms,  to  expe6l  a  marriage  of  cahii  weather,  is  certain- 
ly more  than  common  prefumption ;  therefore  they  ought 
to  take  the  confequences. 

On  the  whole,  I  think  that  the  calamities  of  the  married 
ftate   are   generally  to   be  imputed  to  the  perfons  them- 
lelves  in  the  following  proportion  : — Three-fourths  to  the 
man,  for  want  of  care  and  judgment  in  the  choice,  and 
one-fourth  to  the  woman  on  the  fame  fcore.     Suppofe  a 
man  had  bought  a  farm,  and  after  a  year  or  two,  (liould, 
•in  converfation  with  his  neighbor,  make  heavy  complaints 
how  much  he  had  been  diCippointed,  I  imagine  his  friend 
might  fay  to  him,  did  you  not  fee  this  land   before  yoa 
bought  it  ?    O  yes,   1  law  it  often.     Do   you  not  under- 
Hand  foils  ?   I  think  I  do  tolerably.     Did  you  not  examine 
it  with  care  ?  Not  fo  much  as  I  Ihould  have  done  ;  iliind-. 
ing  at  a  certain  place,  it  looked  admirably  well ;  the  fences 
too  were  new,  and  looked  exceedingly  neat  ;    the  houfe 
had  been   jud  painted   a  (lone  colour,  with  pannelling ; 
the  windows  were  large  and  elegant ;  but  I  neglected  en- 
tirely to  examine  the  fufriciency  of  the  materials,  or  the 
difpofition  of  the  apartments.     There  were  in  the  month 
of  April  two  beautiful  fprings,  but  fmce  I  have  lived  here 
they  have  been  dry  every  year  before  the  middle  of  June. 
Did  you  not  inquire  of  thofe  who  had  lived  on  the  place 
of  the  permanency  of  the  fprings?     No,   indeed,  I  omit- 
ted it-  Had  you  the  full  meafure  you  were  promifec}  ?  Yes, 
every  acre. — Was  the  right    complete  and  valid  ?     Yes, 
yes,  perfedly  good  :  no  man  in  America  can  take  it  from 
me.  Were  you  obliged  to  take  it  up  in  part  of  a  bad  debt  ? 
No,  nothing  like  it.     I  took  fuch  a  fancy  for  it  all  at  once, 
that  1  peilered  the  man  from  week  to  week  to  let  m.e  have 
it.     Why  really  then,    fays  his  friend,    I  think  you  had 
better  keep  your    complaints  to  yourfelf.     Curfmg  and 
fretfulnels  will  never  turn  Hones  into  earth,  or  fand    into 
loam  ;  but  I  can  alTure  you,  that  frugality,   induftry,  and 
good  culture,  will  make  a  bad  farm  very  tolerable  and  an 
indifferent  one  truly  good. 


[     185     ] 


ADDRESS 


TQ    THE 


Inhabitants  of  Jamaica,  and  other  J^FcstJtidia  Islandf-^ 
in  behalf  of  the  College  of  Nevo.  Jersey. 


Gentlem:en, 

IT  is  unneceiTary  to' begin  this  addrefs  by  a  labored  en- 
comium  on  learning  in  general,  or  the  importance  of 
public  ieminaries  for  the  inilrudion  of  youth.  Their  iife 
in  every  country  ;  their  necefHty  in  a  new  or  rifing  coun- 
try ;  and,  particularly  the  influence  of  Science,  in  giving 
a  proper  dire<5lion  and  full  force  to  indiiflry  or  enterprize, 
arc  indeed  fo  manifefl,  that  they  are  either  admitted  by  all, 
or  the  exceptions  are  fo  tew  as  to  be  wholly  unworthy  of 
regard. 

In  a  more  private  viev/,  the  importance  of  education  is 
little  lefs  evident.  It  promotes  virtue  and  happinefs,  as 
well  as  arts  andinduftry.  On  this,  as  on  the  former,  iC 
is  unnecefuiry  to  enlarge  ;  only  fufier  me  to  make  a  re- 
mark, not  cjuite  fo  common,  that,  if  there  is  any  jufl  com^ 
parifon  on  this  fubject,  the  children  of  perfons  in  the  high- 
ft  ranks  of  life,  and,  efnecially,  of  thole  who  by  their  own 
activity  and  diligence  rife  to  opulence,  have  of  all  others 
the  greateft  need  of  an  early,  prudent,  and  v/ell- conduced 
education.  The  wealth  to  which  they  are  born  becomes 
often  a  dangerous  temptation,  and  the  (lation  in  which 
they  enter  upon  iife  requires  luch  duties,  as  thofe  of  th^ 

Vol.  IV,  A  a 


.fi6  uiilJrcsj  hi  behalf  of 

fined  talents  can  fcarcely  be  fappofed  capable  of,  unlefs 
they  have  been  improved  and  cultivated  with  the  utmoft 
care.  Experience  fliews  the  life  of  a  liberal  education  in 
both  thefe  views.  It  is  generally  a  prefervative  froo)  vices 
of  a  certain  clafs,  by  giving  ealy  accel's  to  more  refined 
pleafures,  and  infpiring  the  mind  with  an  abhorrence  of 
low  riot,  and  contempt  for  brutal  converfation.  It  is  alfa 
of  acknowledged  nectflity  to  thofe  who  do  not  wifli  to  live 
fof  themfelves  alone,  but  would  apply  their  talents  to  the 
fervice  of  the  public  and  the  good  of  mankind.  EdiK:atioa 
IS  therefore  of  ec|ual  importance  in  order  either  to  enjoy 
life  with  dignity  and  elegance,  or  employ  it  to  the  benefit 
of  fociety  in  offices  of  power  or  trull. 

But  leaving  thefe  general  topics,  or  rather,  taking  it  for 
granted  that  every  thing  of  this  kind  is  by  intelligent  per- 
fons,  efpecially  parents,  both  believed  and  felt ;  I  proceed 
to  inform  the  public  that  it  is  intended  to  folicit  benefac- 
tions from  the  wealthy  and  generous,  in  behalf  of  a  College 
of  confiderable  (landing,  founded  at  Nassau-Hall,  in 
Prlncetcjiy  New  Jersey.  In  order  to  this  it  is  neceffary 
for  me — i.  To  fhew  the  great  advantage  it  will  be  to  the 
inhabitants  of  the  V/eft-Indies,  to  have  it  in  their  power 
to  fend  their  children  to  approved  places  of  education  on 
the  continent  of  America,  infiead  of  being  obliged  to  fend 
them  over,  for  the  very  elements  of  fcience,  to  South  or 
North  Britain.  2.  To  point  out  the  fituation  and  advan- 
tages of  the  College  of  New-Jerfey  in  particular.  And  as 
I  was  never  a  lover  either  of  florid  difcourfe,  or  ofienta- 
tious  promifes,  I,  (hall  endeavor  to  handle  thefe  two  points 
with  all  poffible  fnTipHcity,  and  Vv^ith  that  referve  and  de- 
cency which  are  fo  neceflary,  where  comparifon  in  fomc 
refpecls  cannot  be  avoided. 

On  the  firil  of  thefe  points,  let  it  be  obferved, 
That  places  of  education  on  the  continent  of  America 
are  much  nearer  to  the  Weil-Indies  than  thole  in  Great- 
Britain  ;  and  yet  llifiiciently  diflant  to  remove  the  temp- 
tation of  running  home  and  lurking  in  idlenefs.  This  is 
a  circum (lance,  which,  other  things  being  fuppofed  equal, 
is  by  no  means  inconfiderable.  Parents  may  hear  much 
oftener  from  and  of  their  chilglren,  and  may  even  vifu 


the  College  of  New-Jersey,  %tj 

tliem,  as  is  known  to  have  been  the  cafe  here,  with  no 
great  lofs  o'i  time  for  bufinefs,  and  to  the  advantacje 
of  their  own  health.  They  may  alfo  much  more  fpeedi- 
\y  and  certainly  be  informed,  whether  they  are  profiting 
^nd  have  juilice  done  them  or  not,  and  remove  or  conti- 
nue them  at  pleafure.  The  diilance  indeed  is,  if  I  mif. 
take  not,  well  proportioned  in  all  refpscis.  It  is  fuch  as 
to  allow  Q^  the  advantages  juil  now  mentioned,  and  yet  fo 
great  as  to  favor  the  behaviour  and  inilruclion  of  the  youth. 
I  have  obferved  in  the  courfe  of  four  years  experience,  that 
thofe  who  came  from  the  greatefc  diilance  have,  in  gene- 
ral, behaved  with  mofl:  regularity.  Being  removed  from, 
their  relations,  it  becomes  neceffary  for  them  to  fupport 
a  character,  as  they  find  themfelves  treated  by  their  com- 
panions, teachers,  and  indeed  all  other  perfons,  according 
to  their  behavior.  This  is  fo  true,  that  if  parents  are 
obliged  to  place  their  children  out  of  their  own  families, 
an  hundred  miles  diftance  is  better  than  twenty,  and  fo 
of  every  other  proportion  till  we  come  to  the  hurtful  exi. 
treme. 

Let  it  be  further  obferved,  that  the  climate  of  the  con* 
tlnent  of  North-America  is  certainly  much  more  healthy 
in  itfelf,  and  probably  alfo  more  fuited  to  the  conflitutions 
of  thofe  who  have  been  born  in  the  Weft-Indies,  than  that 
qf  Great-Britain.  Health  is  the  foundation  of  every 
earthly  blefllng,  and  abfolutely  neceffary  both  to  the  re- 
ceiving inftrudlion  in  youth,  and  being  able  in  riper  years 
to  apply  it  to  its  proper  ufe.  Parental  tendernefs  will 
make  every  one  feel  the  importance  of  this  to  his  owa 
children.  And  whether  the  obfervation  itfelf  is  juft:  or 
not,  I  leave  to  be  decided  by  the  judgment  of  all  who 
have  been  in  both  countries,  and  the  information  they 
will  readily  give  to  thofe  who  have  not. 

Having  touched  on  thefe  circumftances,  let  us  try  to 
make  the  comparifon  as  to  the  fubftance  of  the  education 
itfelf.  Here,  1  am  fenfible  it  behoves  me  to  write  with 
the  utmoft  circumfpetiion  to  avoid  giving  ofience,  and 
that  to  fome  this  will  appear,  at  firft  fight,  altogether  im- 
poiTible.  I  am  however  not  without  the  greateft  hopes, 
that  I  fhall  be  ^ble  fully  to  prove  the  propofitioq  I  hav§ 


1 8  8  Address  hi  behalf  of 

laid  down,  without  giving  any  j'^ifi-  ground  of  offence  to 
pcrfons  of  rtfltrdVion  and  candor.  No  man  can  have  a 
higher  opifiion  of,  and  not  many  have  a  more  tho'ough 
acquaintance  with,  the  means  of  Education,  at  prefent,  in 
Great  Briiain,  than  the  author  of  this  addrefs,  who  was 
born  in  ihe  neiglibouvhood  of  Edinburgh,  educated  in  it, 
and  fpentthe  greatcfl  part  of  his  after-life  in  conilant  in- 
tercourfe  and  <ireat  intimacy  with  the  members  of  the 
Univerfity  ol  Glafu'ow.  He  therefore  fays  it,  both  with 
pleafure  and  gratitude,  thai  any  young  gentleman,  who  is 
flri6lly  ibber  in  his  behavior,  and  who  applies  with  ftcadi- 
nefs  and  diligence,  has  all  poiTible  advantages,  particu- 
larly in  North  Britain,  with  which  he  is'bell  acquainted, 
for  improving  himfelF  in  LJaffic  literature,  in  every  branch 
of  fcieiice,  and  efpecially  in  ihejuftly  valued  knowledge 
of  the  force  and  propriety  of  tlie  Engiidi  language,  and  in 
true  tafle,  including  all  that  is  ufually  comprehended  un- 
der the  general  exprefTion  of  the  Belles  Leltres.  Nay, 
further,  he  adnTitsand  affirms,  that  any  gentleman  of  for- 
tune, who  would  give  the  lail  and  higheft  polifh  to  the  edu- 
cation of  a  young  man  of  promifmg  parts,  would  do  v/ell 
to  fend  him,  after  his  principles  are  fixed,  and  his  judg- 
tnent.  a  little  matured,  for  a  year  or  two,  to  fome  of  the 
Univerfities  of  Great  Britain.  But  notwithilanding  thefe 
conceflions,  if  they  may  be  fo  called,  it  is  hoped  It  will 
-appear,  that  it  would  be  nmch  more  to  the  advantage  of 
the  geiulemen  of  the  Well-Indies  to  give  their  children 
their  grammar  fchool  and  college  education,  at  leaft  to  their 
firll  decree  in  the  arts,  in  an  American  fcniinary,  if  con- 
du'iled  by  perfons  of  ability  and  iritegrity,  than  to  fend 
them  to  Great  Britain  ;  and  that  for  two  important  rea- 
fons  ;  firlt,  the  better  to  Iccure  their  inflrudion,  and  fe- 
coudlv,  for  the  preiervation  of  their  morals. 

I.  For  the  grtater  fecuriiy  of  their  inilru6lion.  The 
Colieijes  in  Britain  have  by  no  means  that  forcible  motive 
that  we  have,  not  only  to  teach  thole  who  are  willing  to 
learii,  but  to  fee  that  every  one  be  obliged  to  ftudy,  and 
a6\uully  learn,  in  proportion  to  his  capacity.  Theie  old 
found.itioiis  have  flood  (o  many  ages,  have  had  their  cha- 
ra6tcr  fo  long  elUbiilbed,  and  are  indeed,  fo  well  known 


the  CoUege  of  Neijo  ■  Jersey,  1  g^ 

to  be  filled  with  men  of  the  pjreated  ability,  that  they  do 
not  lb  much  as  feel  any  injury,  in  point  of  reputation, 
from  one  or  more  conuni::^  out  ofcolle.ue  a! moil  as  ignorant 
as  they  went  in.  The  truth  is,  I  (\o  not  think  they  ou^ht 
to  lole  any  charatler  by  it.  Every  one  knows,  that  it  is 
owing  to  the  idlenefs  or  profiipacy  of  the  hoy,  and  not 
the  infufSciency  oi  the  mailer.  When  the  numbers  of  one 
clafs  are  from  an  hundred  to  an  hundred  ar.d  thirty,  or 
perha[>s  more,  and  when  they  do  not  live  in  College,  how 
is  it  poliible  the  mailer  can  keep  them  to  their  private  ilu- 
dies,  or  even  with  any  ce-rt'iinty  difcern  whether  they  fiu- 
dy  dilii^ently  or  not.  A  good  profeffor  is  eafiiy  and  fpee- 
dily  diltinguilhed  by  his  own  ptrlormances,  by  the  eilcem, 
attachment,  and  progrcfs  of  the  diligent,  but  very  little,  if 
at  all,  hurt  by  the  ignorance  ol  the  negligent.  1  write  thefe 
things  to  vail  numbers  who  knov/  them  as  well  as  I  do  ; 
and  1  could  eafily  produce  gentlemen  in  America,  who 
have  freely  and  generoufly  confcffed  themfelves  to  be  un- 
happy proofs  of  their  truth.  Let  not  any  bcdy  lay  I  refie£l 
upon  the  teachers  for  not  ufingdifcipline  to  oblige  them  to 
apply.  The  numbers  are  fo  great,  that  to  try  and  judge 
every  neglect,  would  take  more  time  than  they  have  for 
their  whole  work.  To  this  may  be  added,  that  it  may 
very  often  happen  that  the  perfons  to  whofe  charge  boys 
in  early  life  are  lent  from  the  Vvefl- Indies,  either  are  not 
themfelves  judges,  or,  from  their  fituation  and  bufinefs, 
have  few  opportunities  of  knov/ing  whether  they  profit  or 
not. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  young  feminaries  in  America 
have  iheir  charadler  conllanlly  at  ftake  for  their  diligence, 
as  one  or  two  untaught  coming  out  from  us,  afPedls  us  in 
the  mod:  fer^fible  manner.  As  to  the  College  of  New- 
Jerfey  in  particular,  we  have  feen  the  importance  of  this 
in  {o  lirong  a  light,  that  whereas  before  we  had  hall-yearly, 
vve  now  have  quarterly  examinaliotis.  carried  on  with  the 
utmoil  llridlnefs,  when  all  who  are  found  deficient  are  de- 
graded to  the  inferior  clafs.  So  impartially  have  thefe 
trials  been  condu61ed,  that  nothing  is  more  ufual  than  for 
thofe  who  fufpedl:  themfelves,  efpecially,  if  their  relations 
are  near,  to  pretend  ficknefs  and  avoid  the  examination^ 


%^0  Address  in  bcbalf  of  : 

that  they  may  afterwards  fall  back  without  the  dlflionor  of 
a  fenceiice.  Farther,  all  the  fcholars  with  us,  as  foon  as 
they  put  oa  the  gown,  are  obliged  to  lodge  in  college,  and 
inad  of  neceihty  be  in  their  chamber  in  ftudy-hours  :  nor  is 
it  in  the  leail  difficult  to  difcover  whether  they  apply  care- 
fully or  not.  The  teachers  alfo  live  in  college,  (o  that  they 
have  every  poilible  advantage  ;  not  only  for  affiding  the 
diligenr  but  ilimulacing  the  flothful. 

2.  Tne  fecond  reafon  for  preferring  an  American  edu- 
cation is,  that  their  morals  may  be  more  effedually  pre- 
ferved.  This,  by  all  virtuous  and  judicious  parents,  will 
be  held  a  point  of  tiie  lad  confequence.  The  danger 
they  run  of  contra61ing  vicious  habits  by  being  fent  to  Bri- 
tain, has  been  often  complained  of,  and  therefore,  I  fup* 
pole,  is  matter  of  experience*  If  fo,  it  will  not  be  diffi^ 
cult  to  aaign  the  caufes  of  it,  which  may  be  fafely  men- 
tioned, becaufe  they  carry  no  imputation  upon  the  fchools 
or  colleges  to  which  they  are  fent.  They  generally  are, 
and  are  always  fuppofed  to  be,  of  great  wealth.  The  very 
name  of  a  Weil-Indian,  has  come  to  imply  in  it  great  opu- 
lence. Now  it  is  well  known  that,  in  all  the  great  towns 
in  Britain,  a  fet  of  profligate  boys,  and  fometimes  artful 
perfons  farther  advanced  in  life,  attach  themfelves  to  fuch 
as  are  well  fupplied  with  mondy,  impofe  upon  their  youth 
and  limplicity,  gratify  them  in  every  irregular  defire,  and 
lead  them  both  into  idlenefs  and  vice.  There  are  alfo  in 
^yery  confiderable  place  in  Great  Britain,  but  efpecially 
the  principal  cities  where  the  colleges  are  fixed,  a  condant 
fucccdion  and  variety  of  intoxicating  diverfions,  fuch  as 
balls,  concerts,  plays,  races,  and  others.  Thefe,  whatever 
rnay  be  pleaded  for  fome  of  them  in  a  certain  meafure  for 
thofe  further  advanced,  every  body  mud  acknowledge,  are 
jbighly  perfiicious  to  youth  in  the  firll  llages  of  their  edu- 
cation. The  temptation  becomes  fo  much  the  dronger, 
and  indeed  almod  irrefjllible,  when  an  acquaintance  with 
thefe  things  is  confidcred  as  fadiionable  life,  and  neceflary 
to  the  accomplidiment  of  a  man  of  breeding.  Is  it  to  ba 
fuppofed  that  young  perfons  of  great  fortune,  when  they 
can  be  immediate  partakers,  will  wait  with  patience  for  the 
proper  time  when  they  may  be  permitted  to  view  with 


the  College  of  Nc^o) -"Jersey,  l()i 

caution  fuch  fcenes  of  ditTipation  ?  On  the  contrary  it 
tnay  be  expe61:ec],  that  they  will  give  into  them  with  all 
the  impetuofity  and  raflinefs  of  youth  ;  and,  when  their 
parents  expe(^  them  to  return  well  llored  with  claffic  lear- 
ninpj  and  philofophy,  they  may  find  them  only  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  laws  of  the  turf  or  gaming-table,  and 
ex|>ert  in  the  ufe  of  the  reigning  phrafes  of  thofe  honora;- 
ble  arts. 

"What  provifion  is  made  for  preferving  and  improving 
the  morals  of  the  fcholars  with  us,  I  leave  till  I  come  to 
fpeak  of  the  conftitution  and  fKuation  of  the  Coliep^e  of 
New- Jerfey.  But  before  I  difmils  this  part  of  the  fubjedl 
I  muft  juil  repeat,  that  the  two  reafons  I  have  given  againft 
a  Britifh  education  do,  and  were  intended  only  to  con- 
clude againfl  fending  boys  in  early  life.  At  that  time 
they  are  incapable  of  reaping  the  advantages  chiefly  to  be 
valued  in  a  Britifli  education.  Thefe  are  not  only  hear- 
ing and  being  able  to  judge  of  the  public  performances  of 
men  of  letters,  in  the  pulpit,  at  the  bar,  and  in  parliament  j 
but  being  introduced  to  the  acquaintance  and  enjoying 
the  converfation  of  men  of  eminence.  This  is  a  favor 
that  would  not  be  granted  to  boys,  and  if  granted  could  be 
of  no  fervice,  but  contributes  in  the  higheft  d^grct  to  the 
delight  and  inllru6\ion  of  thofe  of  riper  years.  Experi- 
ence feems  greatly  to  confirm  this,  for,  as  many  boys 
have  left  fome  of  the  bell  fchools  in  Britain  with  little 
claflTic  knowledge,  though  fupported  at  great  expence,  fo 
thofe  who  received  their  firll  education  in  this  country, 
and  went  home  to  finifli  it,  have  feldom  returned  without 
great  and  real  improvement. 

In  addition  to  thefe  arguments  in  behalf  of  Americaa 
colleges,  drawn  from  the  inflru6tion  and  morals  of  the 
youth  v/ho  are  fent  to  them,  I  cannot  help  mentioning 
one  other  v/hich  mufi:  have  great  weight  in  a  view  fome- 
what  different.  Thefe  colleges  muft  necefiarily,  in  time, 
produce  a  number  of  young  men  proper  to  undertake  the 
office  of  private  tutors  in  gentlemen's  families.  There 
are  fome  who  prefer  a  private  to  a  public  education  at  any 
rate,  efpecially  in  the  very  firll  flages,  and  fome  find  it 
neceffary,  as   not  being  able  to  fuppcrt  the  expence  cf 


1^2  Address  in  behalf  of 

fending  their  cliildren  [o  early,  and  keepinor  them  fo  long 
from  home.  Now  all  who  know  the  fiLuation  oF things  in 
Britain,  nuifi:  be  lenfiblc  how  difficult  it  is  to  <»et  young 
men  of  capacity  or  expedalion,  to  leave  their  native  coun. 
try  in  order  to  unclcrtuke  the  inllrudion  oF  g^entiemen's 
children.  In  this  office  there  is  little  profptft  of  increafe 
of  fortune,  to  balance  the  rifl-:  of  going  to  a  new  and  dan- 
gerous, or  luppofcd  dangerour,,  climate.  But  thofe  who 
are  born  and  educated  in  America  will  not  only  increale 
the  number  of  fucii  teachers,  but  they  will  have  no  fuch 
hideous  apprehenHons  ol  going  to  any  part  of  the  conti- 
nent or  idands.  Whatever  is  done,  therefore,  to  raife 
and  fupport  proper  feminariesin  America,  will,  in  time, 
be  followed  by  this  great  and  general  benefit,  which  I 
have  been  aflTLU^ed  is  vf^ry  much  needed  in  many  or  molt 
of  the  Wcli-lndia  iflands. 

I  will  now  proceed  to  fpeak  a  little  of  the  ConPdtutioa 
and  Advantages  of  the  College  of  New-Jerfey  in  parti- 
cular. 

About  twenty. four  years  ago,  feveral  gen'^lemen  and 
n^inillers  in  this  province,  by  the  friendfliip  and  patronage 
of  Jonathan  Belcher,  Efq.  then  Governor,  obtained  a 
very  ample  royal  charter,  incorporating  them  under  the 
-title  of  Trufiees  of  the  College  of  New-Jt-rley  ;  and  giving 
them  the  hw^t  privileges  and  [ovvcrs  that  are  given  to  the 
'  two  Englilh  Univerfnies,  or  any  other  Univerfity  or 
'  College  in  Great-Britain.'  They,  although  only  pof. 
felled  of  a  naked  charter,  without  any  public  encourage- 
ment, immediately  began  the  inllrudtion  ;  and  very  fooii 
after,  by  theirown  aclivity  and  zeal,  and  the  benevolence 
of  others  wlio  had  the  highelt  opinion  of  their  integrity, 
railed  a  noble  building,  called  Naifau-Hall,  at  princeton, 
New-Jerfey.  I'his  they  chofe  to  do,  though  it  wafled 
their  capital,  as  their  great  intention  was  to  make  effec- 
tual provilion,  not  only  for  the  careful  inllrudion,  but 
for  the  regular  government  of  the  youth.  There  all  the 
fcholars  are  lodged,  and  alfo  boarded,  except  when  they 
have  exprefs  licenfe  to  board  out,  in  the  prefidcnt's  houfe 
orclfcwhere. 


ths  College  of  NeV)- Jersey.  t93 

The  regular  courfe  of  inflruaion  is  in  four  ckfTes,  ex- 
^aiy  after  the  manner,  and  bearing  ihe  names  of  the  clafT- 
es  in  theEnglifh  univerfities  ;  Frefliman,  Sophomore,  Ju- 
nior  and  Senior.  In  the  firll  year,  they  read  Latin  and 
Greek,  with  the  Roman  and  Grecian  antiquities,  and  rhe-  / 
toric.  Jn  the  fecond  continuing  the  (ludy  of  the  languages, 
they  learn  a  complete  fyllem  of  geography,  with  the  ufc  of 
the  globes,  the  firfl  principles  of  philofophy,  and  die  ele- 
ments of  mathematical  knowledge.  The  third,  though 
the  languages  are  not  wholly  omitted,  is  chiefly  employed 
in  mathematics  and  natural  Philofophy.  And  the  fenior 
year  is  employed  in  reading  the  higher  claflics,  proceeding 
in  the  mathematics  and  natural  philofophy,  and  going 
through  a  courfe  of  moral  philofophy.  In  addition  to 
thefe,  the  Prefident  gives  ledures  to  the  juniors  and  feni- 
ors,  which  confequently  every  (ludent  hears  twice  over  in 
his  courfe,  firll  upon  chronology  and  hillory,  and  after- 
wards  upon  compofition  and  criticifm.  He  has  alfo  ^ 
taught  the  French  language  lafl  winter,  and  it  will  conti- 
nue to  be  taught  to  thofe  who  defire  to  learn  it. 

During  the  whole  courfe  of  their  fludies,  the  three 
younger  claiTes,  two  every  evening  formerly,  and  now 
three,  becaufe  of  their  increafed  number,  pronounce  an 
oration  on  a  llage  erected  for  that  piu'pofe  in  the  hall,  im- 
mediately  after  prayers  ;  that  they  may  learn,  by  early 
habit,  prefence  of  mind  and  proper  pronunciation  and 
gelbjre  in  public  fpeaking.  This  excellent  praQice, 
which  has  been  kept  up  almofl:  from  the  firft  foundation 
of  the  College,  has  had  the  mod  admirable  eftedts.  The 
fenior  fcholars,  every  five  or  fix  weeks,  pronounce  orations 
of  their  own  compofition,  to  which  all  perfons  of  any  note 
in  the  neighborhood  are  invited  or  admitted. 

The  College  is  now  furni filed  with  all  the  mod  impor- 
tant helps  to  infirudion.  The  library  contains  a  very 
large  colledlion  of  valuable  books.  The  leuons  of  aH-ro- 
nomy  are  given  upon  the  orrery,  lately  invented  and  con- 
ilrudted  by  David  Rittenhoufe,  Efq.  which  is  reckoned 
by  the  bell  judges  the  mofl  excellent  in  its  kind  of  any 
ever  yet  produced;  and  when  what  is  commilTioned  and 
now  upon  its  way  is  added  to  what  the  College  already 
Vol.  IV.  B  b. 


ic?4  Address  m  behalf  of 

pofleffes,  the  apparatus  for  mathematics  and  natural  phi- 
Jofophy  will  be  equal,  if  not  fuperior,  to  any  on  the  con- 
tinent. 

As  we  have  never  yet  been  obliged  to  omit  or  alter  it 
for  want  of  fchoiars,  there  is  a  fixed  annual  Commence- 
ment on  the  lait  Wednefday  of  September,  when,  after  a 
variety  of  public  exercifes,  always  attended  by  a  vail  con- 
courfe  of  thepoliteft  company  from  the  different  parts  of 
this  province  and  the  cities  of  New-York  and  Philadel- 
phia, the  fludents  whofe  fenior  year  is  expiring,  are  ad- 
mitted to  the  degree  of  Bachelors  of  Arts  ;  the  Bachelors 
of  three  years  Handing,  to  the  degrees  of  Mailers  ;  and 
fuch  other  higher  degrees  granted  as  are  either  regularly 
claimed,  or  the  Trullees  think  fit  to  beftow  upon  thole  who 
have  dillinguiflied  themfelves  by  their  literary  produdlions, 
or  their  appearances  in  public  life. 

On  the  day  preceding  the  Commencement  laft  year, 
there  was  (and  it  will  be  continued  every  year  hereafter) 
a  public  exhibition,  and  voluntary  contention  for  prizes, 
open  for  every  member  of  College.  Thefe  were  firft, 
fecond,  and  third  prizes,  on  each  of  the  following  fubjeds. 
I.  Reading  the  Englifli  language  with  propriety  and 
grace,  and  being  able  to  anfw.erall  queftions  on  its  orthogra- 
phy and  granmiar.  2.  Reading  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages  in  the  fame  manner,  with  particular  attention 
to  true  quantity.  3.  Speaking  Latin.  4.  Latin  verfions. 
5.  Pronouncing  EngUfli  orations.  The  preference  was 
determined  by  ballot,  and  all  prefent  permitted  to  vote, 
who  were  graduates  of  this  or  any  other  College. 

As  to  the  government  of  the  college,  no  corredion  by 
ftripes  is  permitted.  Such  as  cannot  be  governed  by  rea- 
fon  and  the  principles  of  honor  and  lliame,  are  reckoned 
unfit  for  refidence  in  a  college.  The  collegiate  cenfures 
are,  i.  Private  admonition  by  the  prefident,  prol^fibr,  or 
tutor.  2.  Before  the  faculty.  3.  Before  the  whole  clafs 
to  which  the  offender  belongs.  4.  And  the  lad  and  high- 
efl,  before  all  the  members  of  college  affembled  in  the 
hall.  And,  to  preferve  the  weight  and  dignity  of  thefe 
cenfures,  it  has  been  an  eftablifhed  practice  that  the  lail  or 
highell  cenfure,  vi%.  public  admonition,  fliall  never  be 


the  College  of  Neiv-Jersey,  X^^ 

repeated  upon  the  fame  perfon.  If  it  has  been  thought 
neceffary  to  infli6t  it  upon  any  one,  and  if  this  does  not 
preferve  him  from  falling  into  fuch  grofs  irregularities  a 
lecond  time,  it  is  underflood  that  expulfion  is  immediate- 
ly to  follow. 

Through  the  narrownefs  of  the  funds,  the  government 
and  inftrudlion  has  hitherto  been  carried  on  by  a  prefident 
and  three  tutors.  At  laft  commencement,  the  trudees 
chofe  a  profeffor  of  mathematics ;  and  intend,  as  their 
funds  are  raifed,  to  have  a  greater  number  of  profefTor- 
Ihips,  and  carry  their  plan  to  as  great  perfedion  as  pofii- 
ble. 

The  above  relates  wholly  to  what  is  properly  the  col- 
lege ;  but  there  is  alfo  at  the  fame  place,  eftablilhed  under 
the  particular  direction  and  patronage  of  the  prefident,  a 
grammar  fchool,  where  boys  are  inllru6led  in  the  Latin 
and  Greek  languages  with  the  utmofl:  care,  and  on  the 
plan  of  the  moll  approved  teachers  in  Great-Britain.  It 
is  now  fo  large  as  to  have  two  mailers  for  the  languages, 
and  one  for  writing  and  arithmetic  ;  and  as  fome  are  fent 
with  adefign  only  to  learn  the  Latin,  Greek,  and  French 
languages,  arithmetic,  geography,  and  the  praftical  branch- 
es of  the  mathematics,  without  going  through  a  full  col- 
lege courfe,  fuch  fcholars  are  permitted  to  attend  the  in- 
flrudlion  of  the  clafles  in  whatever  coincides  with  their 
plan.  It  is  alfo  now  refolved,  at  the  requell  of  feveral 
gentlemen,  to  have  an  Englifh  mafler  after  next  vacation, 
for  teaching  the  Englifli  language  regularly  and  gramma- 
tically, and  for  perfecting  by  Englifli  exercifes  thofe 
whofe  previous  inllrudtion  may  have  been  defe6live  or 
erroneous. 

I  have  thus  laid  before  the  public  a  concife  account  of 
the  conflitution  of  the  college  of  New-Jerfey,  and  muft 
now  earneflly  recommgfnd  it  to  the  alTiltance  and  patron- 
age of  men  of  liberal  and  ingenuous  minds.  I  am  fenfi- 
ble  tha.t  nothing  is  more  difficult,  than  to  write  in  behalf 
of  what  the  writer  himfelf  has  fo  great  a  part  in  conduct- 
ing,  fo  as  neither  to  fail  in  doing  juflice  to  the  fubje6t, 
nor  exceed  in  improper  or  arrogant  profeflions.  And  yet 
to  employ  others  to  write  for  us,  who  may  have  foaie  pre- 


%c)6t  Address  in  behalf  of 

tence  as  Indifferent  peiTons,  to  embellifh  our  characters, 
is  liable  to  (till  greater  fufpicion.  The  very  bell  feciirity; 
one  can  give  to  the  public  for  decency  and  truth,  is  to 
write  openly  in  his  own  perfon,  that  he  may  be  under  a 
litct{^\[y  to  anfwer  for  it,  if  it  is  liable  to  chaJlenge. 

This  is  the  method  I  have  determined  to  follow  ;  and 
that  i  may  neither  offend  the  delicacy  of  my  friends,  nor 
provoke  the  relentment  of  my  enemies,  I  will  endeavor 
humbly  to  recommend  this  college  to  the  attention  and 
elicem  of  men  of  penetration  and  candor,  chiefly  from 
fuch  circumllances  as  have  little  or  no  relation  to  the  per* 
fonal  charadfers  of  thofe  now  en^ployed,  but  are  effential  to 
its  fituation  and  conllitution,  and  therefore  mull  be  fup, 
polfd  to  have  not  only  the  moil  powerful,  but  the  moll 
lalling  effect.  The  circumllances  to  which  I  would  in- 
treat  the  attention  of  in) partial  perfons,  are  the  follow^ 
ing. 

1.  The  college  of  New-Jerfey  is  altogether  indepen- 
dent. It  hath  received  no  favor  from  government  but  the 
charter,  by  the  particular  friendfhip  oi  a  perfon  now  de- 
ceafed.  It  owes  nothing  but  to  the  beneladions  of  a  pub- 
lic fo  diffulive  that  it  cannot  produce  particular  depen-* 
dance,  or  operate  by  partial  influence.  From  this  circum- 
iiance  it  mull  be  free  from  iivo  great  evils,  and  derive 
the  like  number  of  folid  advantages.  There  is  no  fear  of 
being  obliged  to  chufe  teachers  upon  miniflerial  recom-* 
mendation,  or  in  compliance  with  the  over- bearing  weight 
ol  iamily  interelt  On  the  contrary,  the  trullees  are  na- 
turally led,  and  in  a  manner  forced  to  found  their  choice 
upon  the  characters  of  the  perfons,  and  the  hope  of  public 
approbation.  At  the  fame  tinse  thofe  concerned  in  the 
iiilirutlion  and  government  of  the  college,  are  as  far  re- 
riiOved,  as  the  fiate  of  human  nature  will  admit,  from 
any  temptation  to  a  fawning,  cringing  fpirit,  and  mean 
fervility  m  the  hope  of  court  lavor  or  proUiOtion. 

In  coniequence  ol  this,  it  n»ay  naturalK  be  expe8ed, 
and  we  find  by  experience  that  hitherto  in  fa6l  the  Ipirit 
of  liberty  has  breathed  high  and  lirong  in  all  the  members, 
I  would  not  be  underilood  to  fay  that  a  feminary  of  learn- 


the  College  of  Nt^D'Jcrsey.  197 

ing  ought  to  enter  deeply  into  political  contention ;  far 
lefs  would  I  meanly  court  favor  by  profcfliiig  mylelf  a 
violent  partifan  in  any  prefent  difputes.  But  furcly  a 
conllitution  which  naturally  tends  to  produce  a  fpirit  of 
liberty  and  independence,  even  though  this  fliould  fonie- 
tinies  need  to  be  reined  in  by  prudence  and  moderation, 
is  infinitely  preferable  to  the  dead  and  vapid  ftate  of  one 
whole  very  exiltence  depends  upon  the  nod  of  thofe  in 
power.  Another  great  advantage  ariling  from  this  is  the 
obligation  we  are  under  to  recommend  ourfelves,  by  dili- 
gence and  fidelity,  to  the  public.  Having  no  particular 
prop  to  lean  to  on  one  fide,  we  are  obliged  to  Hand  up- 
right and  firm  by  leaning  equally  on  all.  We  are  ^o  far 
from  having  our  fund  fo  complete,  as  of  itfelf  to  fupport 
the  neceffary  expence,  that  the  greater  part  of  our  annual 
income  arifes  from  the  payments  of  the  fcholars,  which 
we  acknowledge  with  gratitude  have  been  for  thefe  feve- 
ral  years  continually  increafing. 

II.  This  leads  me  to  obferve,  that  it  ought  to  be  no 
inconfidcrable  recommendation  of  this  college  to  thofe  at 
a  didance,  that  it  has  the  elleem  and  approbation  of  thofe 
who  are  neareit  it  and  know  it  bell.  The  number  of 
under  graduates,  or  proper  members  of  college,  is  near 
four  times  that  of  any  college  on  the  continent  to  the 
fouthvvard  of  Nevv-England,  and  probably  greater  than 
that  of  all  the  red  put  together.  This  we  are  at  liberty  to 
affirm  has  in  no  degree  anfcn  from  pompous  defcriptions, 
or  repeated  recommendations  in  the  public  papers.  We 
do  not  mean  to  blame  the  laudable  attempts  of  others  to 
(do  themfelves  juflice.  We  have  been  often  found  fault 
with,  and  perhaps  are  to  blame  for  negled  in  this  parti- 
cular. It  is  only  mentioned  to  give  full  force  to  the  ar- 
gument jull  now  ufed,  and  the  fa6l  is  certainly  true.  I 
do  not  remember  that  the  name  of  the  college  of  New- 
Jerfey  has  been  above  once  or  twice  mentioned  in  the 
newfpapers  for  three  years,  except  in  a  bare  recital  of  the 
ads  of  the  annual  commencements.  The  prefent  addrefs 
arifes  from  neceffity,  not  choice  ;  for  had  not  a  more  pri- 
vate application  been  found  impradicable,  the  prefs  had 
probably  never  been  employed. 


t^S  Address  in  behalf  of 

III.  It  may  not  be  amifs  to  obferve  on  this  fubje(!V,  that 
tbe  great  utility  of  this  feminary  has  been  felt  over  an  ex- 
tenfive  country.  Many  of  the  clergy,  epifcopal  and  pref- 
byterian,  in  the  different  colonies,  received  their  education 
here,  vvhofe  exemplary  behavior  and  other  merit  we  fufFer 
to  fpeak  for  themfelves.  We  are  alfo  willing  that  the" 
public  fhould  attend  to  the  characters  and  appearance  of 
thofe  gentlemen  in  the  law  and  medical  departments,  who 
were  brought  up  at  Naffau-Hall,  and  are  now  in  the  cities 
of  New- York  and  Philadelphia,  and  in  different  parts  of 
the  continent  or  iflands.  Two  at  lead  of  the  profeflbrs  of 
the  juffly  celebrated  Medical  School  lately  founded  in 
Philadelphia,  and  perhaps  the  greateff:  number  of  their 
pupils,  received  their  inftrufilion  here.  We  are  not 
afraid,  but  even  wifh  that  our  claim  fhould  be  decided  by 
the  condu6t  of  thofe  in  general  who  have  come  out  from 
us,  which  is  one  of  the  moil  conclufive  arguments  ;  for 
a  tree  is  known  by  its  fruits.  It  is  at  the  fame  time  an 
argument  of  the  mod  fair  and  generous  kind  ;  for  it  is  left 
to  be  determined  by  mankind  at  their  leifure  ;  and  if  the 
appeal  be  not  in  our  favor,  it  muft  be  unfpeakably  inju- 
rious. 

IV.  The  place  where  the  college  is  built,  is  moft  hap- 
pily chofen  for  the  health,  the  fludies  and  the  morals  of 
the  fcholars.  All  thefe  were  particularly  attended  to 
when  the  fpot  was  pitched  upon.  Princeton  is  on  a  rifing 
ground,  from  whence  there  is  an  eafy  gradual  defcent  for 
many  miles  on  all  quarters,  except  the  north  and  north- 
weft,  from  whence  at  the  diftance  of  one  mile  it  is  iliel- 
tered  by  a  range  of  hills  covered  with  woods.  It  has  a 
mod:  beautiful  appearance,  and  in  fact  has  been  found  one 
of  the  healthieff  places,  as  it  is  fituated  in  the  middle  of 
one  of  the  moft  healthful  countries,  on  the  whole  continent. 
It  is  upon  the  great  poft  road,  almoft  equally  diftant  from 
New- York  and  Philadelphia,  fo  as  to  be  a  centre  of  intel- 
ligence, and  have  an  eafy  conveyance  of  every  thing  ne- 
cefl*ary,  and  yet  to  be  wholly  free  from  the  many  tempta- 
tions in  every  great  city,  both  to  the  neglect  of  ftudy,  and 
the  practice  of  vice.  The  truth  is,  it  is  to  this  happy  cir- 
cumflance,  fo  wifely  attended  to  by  the  iirfl  truftees,  that 


the  College  of  Neuj- Jersey.  X99 

we  owe  our  being  enabled  to  keep  up  the  difcipline  of  the 
college  with  lb  great  regularity  and  lb  little  difficulty.  We 
do  not  wifh  to  take  any  honor  in  this  refpedt  toourfelves. 
Doubtlefsthe  mailers  of  every  college  will  do  their  beft  ia 
this  refped.  But  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  thofe  who  are 
in  great  cities  to  keep  the  difcipline  with  equal  flridnefs, 
where  boys  have  fo  many  temptations  to  do  evil,  and  caa 
fo  eafily  and  effedlually  conceal  it  after  it  is  done.  With 
us,  they  live  all  in  college,  under  the  infpe6lion  of  their 
maflers ;  and  the  village  is  ^0  fmall  that  any  irregularity- 
is  immediately  and  certainly  difcovered,  and  therefore 
eafily  correded. 

It  has  Ibmetimes  happened,  through  rivaldiip  or  ma- 
lice, that  our  difcipline  has  been  cenfured  as  too  fevere 
and  rigorous.  This  reproach  I  always  hear,  not  with  pa- 
tience only,  but  with  pleafure.  In  the  mouth  of  an  ad- 
verfary,  it  is  a  clear  confeffion  that  the  government  is 
ftrid:  and  regular.  While  we  avail  ourfelves  of  this,  we 
prove  that  the  accufation  of  oppreffive  rigor  is  wholly 
without  foundation,  from  the  number  offcholars,  and  the 
infrequency  of  public  cenfures,  but  above  all  from  the 
warm  and  almod  enthufiaftic  attachment  of  thofe  who 
have  finilhed  their  courfe.  Could  their  elleem  and  friend- 
lliip  be  expedled  in  return  for  an  auflere  and  rigorous 
confinement,  out  of  which  they  had  efcaped  as  birds  out 
of  the  fnare  of  the  fowler  ?  We  admit  that  it  is  infup- 
portable  to  the  idle  and  profligate  ;  for  either  they  will  not 
bear  with  us,  or  we  will  not  bear  with  them  ;  but  from 
thofe  who  have  applied  to  their  lludies,  and  reached  the 
honors  of  college,  we  have,  almoll  without  exception, 
found  the  moll  fincere,  a6live  and  zealous  friendlliip. 

V.  This  college  was  founded,  and  hath  been  conduct- 
ed upon  the  molt  catholic  principles.  The  charter  re- 
cites as  one  of  its  grounds,  ''  That  every  religious  deno- 
"  mination  may  have  free  and  equal  liberty  and  advan- 
"  tage  of  education  in  the  faid  college,  any  different  fen- 
*'  timents  in  religion  notwithftanding.'*  Accordingly 
there  are  now,  and  have  been  from  the  beginning,  fcho- 
lars  of  various  denominations  from  the  moll  dillant  colo- 
nies, as  well  as  Welb India  iflands  ;  and  they  mud  ns^ 


2^06  Address  in  behalf  of 

celTarily  confefs,  that  they  never  met  with  the  leafl  uneafu 
nel's  or  dilVefpira  on- this  account.     Our  great  advantage 
on  this  lubjcd  iS  the  harmony  of  the  board  of  trullees,  and 
the   perfed  union  in  fenliment  among  all   the   teachers, 
both  with  the  trullees  and  with  one  anovher.     On  this  ac- 
count, there  is  neither  inclination  nor  occafion  to  med- 
dle with  any  controverfy  whatever.     The  author  of   this 
addrelsconlelfes  that  he  was  long  accuilomed  to  the  order 
and  dignity  of  an  eOablifhcd  church,  but  ^  church   which 
hath  no  contempt  or  deteltation  of  thole  who  are  different- 
ly orgaaiztd.     And,  as  he  hath  ever  been  in  that  church 
an  oppoier  of  lordly  domination  and  facerdotal  tyranny, 
fo  he  is  a  paffionate  admirer  of  the  equal  and  impartial 
lupport  of  every  religious  denomination  which  prevails  in 
the  northern  colonies,  and  is  perfed  in  Pennf3/lvania  and 
'the  Jerle>s,  to  the  unfpeakable  advantage  of  thofe  happy 
and  well  conilituted  governments. 

With  refped  to  the  college  of  New- Jerfey,  every  quef- 
tion  about  forms  of  church  government  is  fo  entirely  ex- 
eluded,  that  though  1  have  feen  one  fet  of  fcholars^begin 
and  tinilh  their  courfe,  if  they  know  nodiing  more  of  reli- 
gious controverfy  than  what  they  learned  here,  they  have 
that  icience  wholly  to  begin.     This  is  altogether  owing  to 
the  union  of  lentiment  mentioned  above  :  for,  if  you  place 
as  teachers  in  a  college,  perfons  o'i   repugnant    religious 
principles,  they  mult  have  more  wifdom   and  felf-denial 
than  ufuaily  fail  to  the  lot  of  humanity,  if  the  whole  foci- 
ety  is   not   divided  into  parties,    and   niarflialled  under 
na!nes,  if  the  changes  are  not  frequent,    and,  when  they 
take  place  they  will  be  as  well  known  as  any  event  that 
can  happen  in  fuch  a  Ibciety.     On  the  contrary,  there  is 
io  little  occafion  with  us  to  canvafs  this  matter  at  all,  that, 
though  no  doubt  accident  mull  difcover  it  as  to  the  great- 
ell  number,  yet  fome  have  left  the  college,  as  to  whom  I 
am  wholly  uncertain  at  this   hour  to  what  denomination 
they  belong.      It  has  been  and  ihall  be  our  care  to  ufe  eve- 
ry mean  in  our  power  to  make  theni  good  men  and  good 
fcholars;  and,  if  this  is  the  cafe,  1  fliall  hear  of  their  fu- 
ture charader  and  ufefulnefs  with  unteigned  fatisfadlion, 
under  every  name  by  which  a  real  proteilant  can  be  dif- 
tinguiflied. 


the  College  of  New- Jersey,  2oi 

liaving  already  experienced  the  generofity  of  the  nc^- 
lic  in  many  parts  of  the  continent  of  America,  I  cannot 
but  hope  that  the  gentlemen  of  the  iflands  will  not  rcfuie 
their  afliftance,  according  to  their  abilities,  in  order  to 
carry  this  feminary  to  a  far  greater  dt^gree  of  perfedion 
than  any  to  which  it  has  yet  arrived.  The  exprcls  pur- 
pofe  to  which  the  benefadlions  now  fequefled  will  he  ho- 
plied,  is  the  eflablifhment  of  new  profefForflTlps,  which 
will  render  the  inftitution  not  only  more  complete  in  it- 
felf,  but  lefs  btirthenfome  to  thofe  who  have  undertHken 
the  important  truft.  The  whole  branches  of  mathema- 
tics and  natural  philofophy  are  now  taught  by  one  profef- 
for ;  and  the  prefident  is  obliged  to  teach  divinity  and 
moral  philofophy,  as  well  as  chronology,  hiltory,  and  rne- 
toric,  befides  the  fuperintendance  and  government  of  the 
whole.  The  fhort  lives  of  the  former  prefidents  have 
been  by  many  attributed  to  their  exceiTive  labors,  which^ 
it  is  hoped,  will  be  an  argument  with  the  huuiane  and 
generous  to  lend  their  help  in  promoting  ib  noble  a  defign* 
I  am,  gentlemen^ 

Your  mod  obedient, 
Humble  fervant, 
JOHN  WITHERSPOON. 
N'assati-HaU,  at  Princeton^ 

New- Jersey^  March  2 1,  '^ll'^'* 

Proper  Forms  of  DoNAtio^s  to  the  College  by  WilLf 

Of  Chattels  personal. 
iteiii^  I   A.  B.  do  hereby  give  and  bequeath  the  fum 
of  unto  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of  New -Jersey  ^ 

commonly  called  Nassau- Hall^  the  lante  to  be  paid  with- 
in months  next  after  my  deceafe ;  and  to  be  ap- 
plied to  the  uies  and  purpofes  of  the  said  College. 

Of  real  Estates. 

I  A.  B.  do  give  anddevife  unto  the  Tru^*ces  of  the 
College  of  New-Jersey^  commonly  called  Nassau-HaU^ 
and  to  their  successors  forever^  all  that  certain  mefluage 
and  trad  of  land,  &c. 

Vol.  IV.  .  C  c 


C   203   ] 


A  N 

E     S     S     A     Y 


O  N 


MONEY 


As  a  medium  of  commerce ;  ivith  remarks  on  the  ad- 
'Damages  and  disadvantages  of  paper  admitted  into 
general  circulation. 


FROM  every  channel  of  public  intelligence  we  learn, 
that  there  is  a  difpofition  in  many  of  the  legiflatures 
of  this  country,  to  emit  bills  of  credit  by  authority  of 
government,  and  to  make  them  in  fome  meafure  at  lead, 
or  in  fome  cafes,  a  legal  tender  for  debts  already  contrail- 
ed.  This  is  a  matter  of  great  delicacy  and  danger.  It 
has  occafioned  a  controverfial  difcuffion  of  the  fubjedl  in 
pamphlets  and  periodical  publications.  A  few  plaufible 
things,  and  but  a  few  that  deferve  that  charader,  have 
been  publifhed  in  defence  of  the  meafure.  Many  fhrewd 
and  fenfible  things  have  been  offered  againfl:  it :  but  even 
thefe  lafl  have  not  been  fo  connected  and  fatisfying,  as 
they  might  and  ought  to  have  been.  Some  of  the  pieces 
have  been  verbofe  and  declamatory,  with  many  repeti. 
lions;  others  have  been  full  of  antithefes,  quaint  fayings, 
and  witticifms,  which  have  no  great  tendency  to  con- 


304  Essay  on  Money. 

vince  or  perfuade ;  and  fome  have  been  mingled  with 
the  locil  and  party  politics  of  particular  ftates.  Per^ 
haps  thefe  dfft^rent  ways  of  wriMng  may  be  very  proper 
for  feveral  claffcs  oi'  readers,  and  have  a  good  effcdl  ;  but 
there  are  certainly  others  who  v/ould  require  a  different 
tre:it>nent,  bccaufe  their  miftakes  are  owing  not  to  de- 
ceitful intentions,  but  to  erroneous  judgment.  This  has 
given  me  a  ilrong  defjre  to  iry  what  ran  be  done  upon 
the  iubjedt  b)'  difpairionate  reafoning.  By  this  I  mean, 
endeavoring  to  carry  the  matter  back  to  its  firll  princi- 
ples, to  explain  them  in  fo  fimple  a  manner,  as  that  the 
unlearned  n)ay  underiland  ti.em  ;  and  then  to  deduce 
the  pradical  con'equenpes  with  the  general  thepry  full  in 
view. 

U  is  impofible  to  reach    my  purpofe,  without  faying 
inany  things   which    in  a  feparate  and  detached  manner 
have  been  iaid  by  others  ;   but  this  muft  be  forgiven  me ; 
becaufe  f  meari  to  lay  the  whole  fyilem  before  the  reader, 
^\k\  every  part  in  its  proper  order  and  connexion.     Let 
US  then   begin  by  cpnJidering  what  gave  rife  to   money, 
^nd  what  is  its  nature  and  ufe  ?  If  there  were  but  one 
man  upon  the  e^rth,  he  would  be  obliged  to  prepare  a 
hut  for  his  habitation,  to  dig  roots  for  his  fuilenance,  to 
provide  fkins  or  fig  leaves  for  his  covering,  &c.  in  fliort, 
%o  do  every  thing  for  hindelf.     If  but  one  or  two  more 
Werejoaied  with  him,  it  would  foqn  be  found  that  one  of 
them  would  be    niore  fkilful   in  one  fort    of  work,  and 
?innthef  in  a    different ;   fo   that  common  interell  would 
dire(^  them,  each  to  apply  his  induflry  to  what  he  could 
do  belt  and  foonefl  J  to  communicate  the  furplus  of  what 
he  needed  hindclf  of  that  fort  of  work  to  the  others,  and 
receive  of  their  furplus  in  return.     This   diredlly  points 
out  tQ  us,  that  a  barter  of  commodities,  or  communica- 
tion of  the  fruits  of  induflry,   is  the  firll   principle,  or  ra- 
ther  indeed  cqn/titutes  the  effence  o^  commerce.     As  fpci- 
Cty  increafes,  the  partition  of  employments  is  greatly  dir 
Verfitied  ;   but  Hill  the  fruits  of  well  diredled  induflry,  or 
the  things  neceffary  and  ufeful  i^  life^  are  V/hat  only  caq 
^^  c^Ucd  wealth. 


^ssay  on  Money.  io^ 

In  eflabrifliing  a  mutual  exchange  of  thefe,  the  firft 
thing  neceffai  y  is  a  ftandard  of  computation,  or  commoa 
meafure,  by  which  to  ellimate  the  feveral  commodities 
that  maybe  offered  to  fale,  or  may  be  defired  by  purchafers. 
Without  this  it  is  eafy  to  fee  that  the  barter  of  commo- 
dities is  liable  to  very  great  difficulties,  and  very  great  er- 
rors. This  flandard  or  common  meafure  mull  be  fome* 
thing  that  is  well  known  to  both  parties,  and  of  general 
or  common  ufe.  As  the  firil  eflays  in  any  thing  are  ge- 
nerally rude  and  imperfedl ;  fo  1  think  it  appears  from 
the  monuments  of  remote  antiquity,  that  in  the  early  flages 
of  fociety,  cattle  were  the  iiril  things  made  ufe  of  as  a 
ftandard*.  But  it  would  foon  appear  that  this  was  a 
moft  inaccurate  meafure  ;  becaufe  one  ox  might  be  as 
good  as  two,  from  fize,  fatnefs,  or  other  circumftances. 
Therefore  in  place  of  this  fucceeded  meafures  both  of  dry 
and  liquid,  that  is,  corn,  wine,  and  oil.  The  firll  of  thefe 
was  of  all  others  the  moft  proper  ftandard,  becaufe  uni- 
Vcrfally  neceflary,  and  liable  to  little  variation.  Men, 
upon  an  average,  would  probably  eat  nearly  the  fame 
quantity  in  the  moft  diftant  ages  and  countries.  It  feems 
to  me,  that  this  circumftance  of  a  ftandard  of  computa- 
tion bein^  neceflary  in  commerce,  and  the  firft  thing  ne- 
cefTary,  has  been  in  a  great  meafure  overlooked  by  njoft: 
writers  on  money,  or  rather  it  has  been  confounded  with 
the  ftandard  value  of  the  ftgn,  although  eftentially  different 
from  it ;  and  the  equivocal  ufe  of  the  terms  has  occa- 
fioned  great  confufion.  I  muft  however  obferve,  not  only 
that  this  muft  necefl*arily  be  taken  in,  but  that  if  we  con- 
fine ourfelves  to  a  ftandard  of  computation  only,  fomo 
known  commodity,  as  meafured  grain,  is  better,  and  more 
intelligible  and  unalterable  than  any  money  whatever, 
that  either  has  been  or  will  be  made.  The  great  altera- 
tion in  the  value  of  gold  and  filver  is  known  to  every  per- 

*  Servius  Titllius,  one  of  the  Roman  kings,  is  faid  to  have 
flamped  fome  pieces  with  the  figure  of  cattle  ;  an  ox,  or  a 
fheep.  This  was  as  much  as  to  fay,  this  piece  is  of  the  value 
of  an  ox  or  a  fheep.  Hence  it  is  faid  the  Roman  word  pecunia^ 
comes  from  /;ecMj,  cattle.  Others  have  thought  it  was  from 
the  ufe  of  leather  for  money,  quasi  pecudum  corio.  But  the 
firft  etymology  feems  to  be  the  beft.     See  a  fubfequent  note. 


2oS  Essay  on  Money. 

fon  who  has  iait  dipped  into  hidory ;  and  indeed  is  known 
to  many,  even  by  memory,  in  this  country,  fmce  its  firll 
fettlement*. 

But  after  a  flandard  of  computation  had  been  agreed 
upon,  in  commerce  even  of  the  moft  moderate  extent, 
fomething  farther  would  be  abfolutely  necelTary.  The  ac- 
tual and  immediate  barter  of  commodities  could  in  a  few 
inflances  take  place.  A  man  might  have  the  thing  that  I 
wanted  to  purchafe,  but  he  might  not  need  or  delire  what 
I  was  willing  to  give  for  it.  Another  might  want  what 
I  had  to  fpare,  but  not  have  what  I  wanted  to  purchafe 
with  it.  Befides,  bulky  or  perifliable  commodities  could 
not  be  carried  about  at  an  uncertainty,  or  with  fafety. 
Therefore,  it  became  very  early  nece(rary5that  there  fhould 
be  fome  fign  or  figns  agreed  upon,  which  fhould  reprefent 
the  abfent  commodities,  or  rather  fhould  reprefent  the 
ftandardof  computation,  in  all  its  divifions  and  multipli- 
cations. Thefe  figns  mud  be  fuch  as  could  eafily  be  car- 
ried about,  and  therefore  could  be  readily  anplied  to  every 
kind  of  tranfaftions,  which  were  conneded  with  the 
commutation  of  property. 

Let  us  examine  the  nature  and  meaning  of  thefe  figns 
more  particularly.  They  are  of  the  nature  of  a  tally, 
that  is  to  fay,  they  are  intended  to  mark  and  afcertain  a 
fa6V.  Now  the  fa6l  is,  that  the  perfon  who  can  fhow  thofe 
iigns,  having  purchafed  them  by  his  goods  or  indulby,  is 
entitled  to  receive  from  fomebody,  a  certain  value,  or  to 

*  There  are  two  eflates  near  one  of  the  colleges  in  Scotland, 
■which  were  originally  taxed  an  equal  number  of  bolls  of  grain 
(aboil  is  al)out  6  bufliels)  to  that  inlUtution.  In  very  remote 
times,  it  pleafed  the  proprietor  of  one  of  thefe  eftates,  with 
confent  of  the  college,  to  convert  the  payment  into  money, 
according  to  the  then  current  value,  which  was  a  groat  or  four 
pence  ilerling  for  a  boll.  At  this  prefent  time,  the  one  of  thefe 
farms  pays  the  fame  number  of  bolls,  that  the  other  does  of 
groats  ;  which  is  about  thirty-two  for  one.  There  is  alfo  faid 
to  be  exifting,  an  old  leafe  of  a  burrow  acre  near  a  town  in 
Scotland,  for  which  the  tenant  was  to  pay  a  boll  of  wheat,  and 
aboil  of  barley,  or  if  he  did  not  bring  the  grain  between  Chrift- 
mafs  and  Candlemafs,  the  proprietor  was  not  obliged  to  ac- 
cept of  it,  but  he  mull  pay  a  fum  which  is  now  10-1 2ths  of 
a  penny  flerlinj;'  for  the  boJl  of  wheat,  and  8-12ths  for  the  boli 
©f  barley. 


Essay  on  Money.  207 

a  certain  amount,  which  they  fpecify,  of  the  (landard  of 
computation.  They  have  always  a  reference  to  the 
ftandard  of  computation,  and  at  laft,  by  that  known  re- 
ference, the  diRindion  between  them  and  the  llandard  of 
computation  is  loft,  and  they  become  a  fecondary  llandard 
of  computation  themfelves.  Thus  a  piece  is  intended  at 
firft  to  be  of  the  value  of  a  meafure  of  grain  ;  but  at  lad 
men  come  to  make  their  bargain  by  the  number  of  pieces 
inftead  of  the  number  of  meafures  ;  ufing  the  fign  for  the 
thing  fignified.  Thus  alfo,  fometimes  at  leaft,  an  ideal 
meafure,  generated  by  the  other  two,  comes  to  be  the 
ftandard  of  computation  ;  as  in  England,  the  pound  fter- 
ling  is  the  money  unit,  though  there  be  no  coin  precifely 
correfponding  to  it.  This  is  fufficient  to  explain  the  re- 
lation of  the  fign  to  the  flandard  of  computation,  and  at 
laft,  if  I  may  fpeak  fo,  its  confolidation  with  it. 

I  have  faid  above,  that  the  perfon  pofleffing  the  fign  is 
entitled  to  receive  a  certain  value  from  somebody.  The 
reafon  of  this  is,  becaufe  his  debtor  is  not  the  fame  in 
every  ftate  of  things.  If  we  confider  the  fign  as  given 
from  one  individual  to  another,  it  is  of  the  nature  of  a 
promilTory  note,  and  is  a  confefTion  of  having  received  {o 
much  property.  Probably  there  were  often  luch  figns  or 
tokens  given  in  the  infancy  of  fociety  ;  and  it  would  then 
fignify,  that  if  the  feller  were  to  come  again,  at  a  diftance 
of  time,  and  find  the  buyer  in  poficlllon  of  fuch  goods  as 
he  wanted,  he  would  be  entitled  to  receive  the  amount  of 
the  fign  or  token  that  had  been  given  him.  But  the  con- 
venience of  ufing  figns  is  fo  great,  that  it  would  immedi- 
ately occafion  their  being  made  \\k  of  by  general  con- 
fent,  exprefs  or  implied  ;  and,  at  laft,  the  matter  would 
be  taken  under  the  diredlion  of  the  ruling  part  of  the  com- 
munity. In  both  cafes,  but  efpecially  in  this  laft,  the  fo- 
ciety becomes  bound  to  the  perfon  who  receives  the  figns 
for  his  goods  or  induftry,  that  they  ftiall  be  to  him  of  the 
value  that  they  fpecify.  I  will  afterwards  fuow,  that  this 
was  not  the  firft  but  the  laft  ftep  taken  in  theufe  of  figns, 
and  give  the  reafons  for  it ;  but  it  is  proper  to  mention  it 
now,  when  we  are  confidering  the  nature  and  ufe  of  figns 
in  that  fingle  view. 


%qS  Essay  on  Money, 

Let  it  be  obferved  here  that  as  it  was  before  faid,  if  U'g 
aim  at  no  more  than  a  ftandard  of  computation^  fome 
commodities  are  not  only  as  good,  but  better  than  any 
money,  fo  if  we  confine  ourfelves  to  a  fign  only  feparate 
from  a  (landard,  many  things  that  might  be  named  are 
not  only  as  good,  but  far  better  than  either  the  llandard 
itfelf,  or  what  we  call  money,  becaufe  they  are  much 
more  eafily  reckoned,  tranfported  and  concealed*  This 
•appears  particularly  from  the  flate  of  figns  in  modern 
times,  after  fo  much  experience  and  inprovement  has  ta- 
ken place.  For  if  we  can  guard  fufFiciently  againft  the 
dangers  to  which  they  are  expofed^  figns  inconceivably 
facilitate  commerce.  We  can  put  any  value  we  pleafe  in 
an  obligation  written  on  a  few  inches  of  paper,  and  can 
fend  it  over  the  world  itfelf  at  very  little  expenfe,  and 
conceal  it  fo  eafily  that  there  fllall  be  no  danger  of  its  be* 
ing  taken  from  us. 

But  it  mull  have  appeared,  and  did  fpeedily  appear^ 
that  all  mere  figns  labor  binder  an  eflential  defed:*  They 
depend  ultimately  on  the  faith  or  credit  of  the  perfons 
ufing  or  anfwerable  for  them.  Now,  whether  thefe  be  in- 
dividuals or  the  multitude  by  general  cuilom  and  implied 
confent,  or  even  the  ruling  part  of  the  fociety,  there  is 
very  great  uncertainty.  Therefore  fomething  farther  is 
necelFary  to  make  a  complete  fymbol  or  medium  of  gene-^ 
ral  commerce^  and  that  is,  a  pledge  ox  flandard  of  value 
that  may  be  a  fecurity  or  equivalent  for  the  thing  given 
for  it,  and  at  all  times  be  fufficient  to  purchafe  a  like  value 
of  any  thing  that-  may  be  needed  by  him  that  holds  it. 
An  abfent  commodity  Well  known,  or  ev^en  an  idea  well 
underfiood,  may  he  a  llandard  of  computation  and  com* 
mon  meafure  ;  any  thing  almoll  whatever  may  be  a  fign, 
though,  fince  the  art  of  writing  has  been  known,  paper 
is  the  befi,  but  both  are  eflentially  dele61:ive  ;  there  is  want- 
ing a  value  in  the  fign,  that  dial  1  give  not  only  a  proniife 
or  obligation,  but  adual  poflefiion  of  property  for  pro- 
perty. 

The  mentioning  of  thefe  three  difiindl  ends  to  be  ferved 
by  the  medium  of  commerce,  and  illullrating  them  fepa- 
rately,  was  not  to  convey  the  idea  that  there  were  three 
iteps  of  this  kind  taken  at  a  diilance  of  time  from  each 


Ussay  on  Money.  2©^ 

miicr,  or  that  men  firR  continued  long  to  deal  in  grofs 
Ka-ter;  a. id  afier  that  invented  fi.'^ns,  and  v/ere  content 
with  thijin  tor  anorher  pjriod  ;  and  at  lad,  perfe6\ed  the 
plan,  b\^  g^ttin^  (U'lS  p^QcfT-d  of  real  vaKie.  Ovi  the 
contrary,  it  was  to  Ihovv  that  any  thinp;  ufed  as  a  mcdiunn 
of  iinlvcrial  or  ^ener-d  conirnerce,  mull  be  able  to  ferve 
all  the  thrtre  fore  rrientioiied  purpofes  ;  and  that  if  there  is 
any  pro'luClion  of  nature,  or  fabrication  of  art,  that  can 
unite  the  whole,  at  leait  as  iar  as  they  are  capable  of  being 
united,  this  nuiil  be  the  ^»eat  derideratum.  Now  it  has 
bet^n  found  in  experience,  that  the  precious  metals,  t{[i2- 
cially  thofe  now  called  by  that  name,  gold  and  iilver,  do 
aniwer  all  tlie  three  ends  in  a  great  degree.  It  cannot  be 
denied  that  they  have  been  ufed  for  this  purpofe,  in  fa6V, 
fro.n  the  earliell  times,  and  through  every  nation  in  the 
old  world,  and  indeed  alfo  in  the  new,  with  fuch  excep- 
tion only  as  will  confirm  the  principles  of  the  theory.  If 
any  mm  thinks  that  this  has  happened  by  accident,  or 
through  the  whim  or  caprice  of  mankind,  as  one  would 
fufped  from  the  languaj^je  fometimes  ufed  in  ipeech  and 
writing,  lie  is  greatly  miftaken.  No  eiTed  of  whim  or 
accident  ever  v/ns  fo  uniform  or  fo  lafting.  The  truth  is, 
that  thefc  metals  do  poiTcfs  in  a  great  dt^rtQ  luperlor  to 
every  thing  el!e,  the  qaalities  necelHiry  for  the  purpofes 
mentioned  above. 

This  will  appear  to  any  impartial  perfon  who  v/iil  con- 
fider,  with  a  view  to  the  preceding  principles,  what  quali- 
ties a  medium  of  general  commerce  ought  to  polFcfs^  It 
ought  then,  to  be  (i  )  valuable;  (2.)  rare;  (3.)  porrr.iils; 
{4.)  divifjble  ;  (5.)  durable.  Whoever  will  examine  the 
matter  with  attention,  mull  perceive  that  any  one  cf  thefe 
qualities  being  wholly  or  greatly  wanting,  the  fyflera 
would  be  either  entirely  ruined  or  remarkably  injured. 
Let  us  examine  ihern  (eparately. 

1,  It  mud  be  'valuable  ;  that  is  to  fay,  it  mud  have  an 
intrinfic  worth  in  itfelf,  in  fubdance  dilVinct  from  the  form. 
By  value  or  intrinfic  worth  here,  mud  be  underllcod  pre* 
Cifely  the  fame  thing  that  gives  to  every  other  commodity 
its  commercial  value.  Do  you  aflc  what  that  is  ?  I  anfwer, 
its  being  either  necelLry  or  remarkably  ufeful  for  the  pur-s 

Vol.  IV.  Cf  d 


iid  Mssay  on  Money. 

pofes  of  life  in  a  focial  ftate,  or  at  leaft  fuppofed  to  be  fo  : 
and  therefore  the  objedl  of  human  defire.      Without  this 
it  could  be  no  more  than  a  bare  fign ;  nor  indeed  fo  ufeful 
in  this  view  as  many  other  figns.     But  we  want  fomething 
that  muft  not  be  only  a  fiandard  of  computation,  but  a 
ilandard  of  value  ;  and  therefore  capable  of  being  a  pledge 
and  fecurity  to  the  holder,  for  the  property  that  he  has  ex- 
changed for  it.     It  is  likely  fome  will  fay,  What  is  the  in- 
trinfic  value  of  gold  and  filver  ?  They  are  not  wealth;  they 
are  but  the  fign  or  reprefentative  of  commodities.     Super- 
ficial philofophers,  and  even  fome  men  of  good  under- 
flanding  not  attending  to  the  nature  of  currency,  have 
leally  faid  fo.     What  is  gold,  fay  fome,  the  value  is  all 
in  the  fancy  ;  you  can  neither  eat  nor  wear  it  ;  it  will 
neither  feed,  clothe  nor  warm  you.     Gold,  fay  others,  as 
to  intrinfic  value,  is  not  fo  good  as  iron,  which  can  be  ap- 
plied to  many  more  ufeful  purpofes.     Thefe  perfons  have 
not  attended  to  the  nature  of  commercial  value,  which  is 
in  a  compound  ratio  of  its  ufe  and  fcarcenefs.     If  iron 
were  as  rare  as  gold,  it  would  probably  be  as  valuable,  per- 
haps more  fo.     How  many  inflances  are  there  of  things, 
which,  though  a  certain  proportion  of  them  is  not  only 
valuable,  but  indifpenlibly  necellary  to  life  itfelf,  yet  which 
from  their  abundance  have  no  commercial  value  at  all. 
Take  for  examples  air  and  water.     People  do  not  bring 
thefe  to  market,  becaufe  they  are  in  fuperabundant  plenty. 
But  let  any  circumflances  take  place  that  render  them 
rare,  and  difficult  to  be  obtained,  and  their  value  immedi- 
ately rife  s  above  all  computation.     "What  would  one  of 
thofe  who  were  fiifled  in  the  black  hole  at  Calcutta,  have 
given  to  get  but  near  a  window  for  a  little  air  ?  And  what 
will  the  crew  of  a  fliip  at  fea,  whofe  water  is  nearly  ex- 
pended, give  for  a  frefli  fupply  ? 

Gold  and  filver  have  intrinfic  value  as  metals,  becaufe 
from  their  dudlility,  durability,  and  other  qualities,  they 
are  exceedingly  fit  for  domeflic  utenfils,  and  many  pur- 
pofes in  life.  This  circumflance  was  the  foundation  of 
their  ufe  as  a  medium  of  commerce,  and  was  infeparable 
from  it.  No  clearer  proof  of  this  can  be  adduced,  than 
that  in  the  earlieft  times,  even  when  ufed  in  commerce. 


Essay  on  Money,  m 

they  were  weighed  before  ihey  were  divided  into  fmaller 
pieces,  and  pafled  in  tale.  They  mud  furely  then  have 
had  intrinfic  value  ;  for  their  value  was  in  proportion  to 
their  bulk  or  quantity.  This  circumftance  as  a  fign  made 
them  worfe,  but  as  a  valuable  metal  made  them  better. 
The  fame  thing  appears  as  clearly  from  the  pradlicQ  of 
modern  times.  Even  when  they  are  taken  into  the  ma- 
nagement of  the  rulers  of  fociety,  and  damped  under  va- 
rious  denominations,  there  muft  be  an  exad  regard  had 
to  their  commercial  value.  The  ftamp  upon  them  is  the 
sigriy  the  intrinfic  worth  of  the  metal  is  the  'value.  It  is 
now  found,  and  admitted  by  every  nation,  that  they  muft 
give  to  every  piece  that  denomination  and  value  in  legal 
currency,  that  it  bears  in  bullion  ;  and  if  any  do  other- 
wife,  there  is  neither  authority  nor  force  fufficient  to  make 
it  pafs^. 

The  author  referred  to  in  the  note  has  given  us  quota- 
tions from  three  perfons  of  name  in  the  literary  world  in 
fupport  of  a  contrary  opinion.  The  firft  is  Dr.  Franklin, 
whom  he  makes  to  fay,  "  Gold  and  filver  are  not  intrin- 
fically  of  equal  value  with  iron  ;  a  metal  of  itfelf  capable 
of  many  more  beneficial  ufes  to  mankind.  Their  value 
refts  chiefly  on  the  eftimation  they  happen  to  be  in  among 
the  generality  of  nations,  and  the  credit  given  to  the  opi- 
nion that  ellimation  will  continue  ;  otherwife  a  pound  of 
gold  would  not  be  a  real  equivalent  for  a  bufhel  of  wheat.'* 
The  fecond  is  Anderfon  on  National  Induftry,  who  fays 
*'  Money  confidered  in  itfelf,  is  of  no  value ;  but  in  many 
civilized  nations,  who  have  found  how  convenient  it  is 

*  An  author  on  this  fubje6l  in  a  pamphlet  lately  publifhed, 
fays,  "  The  value  of  the  precious  metals  is  however  enhanced 
by  their  peculiar  aptitude  to  perform  the  office  of  an  univerfal 
money  beyond  any  real  inherent  value  they  polfefs.  This  ex- 
trinfic  value  of  gold  and  filver,  which  belongs  to  them  under 
the  modification  of  coin  or  bullion,  is  totally  diftiiidl  from  their 
inherent  value  as  a  commodity."  I  do  not  very  well  com- 
prehend what  this  gentleman  means  by  the  intrinfic  value  of 
gold  and  filver.  Perhaps  it  is  the  (lamp  or  noroinal  value  af- 
fixed to  them  by  the  ftate  ;  but  whatever  it  is,  I  will  venture 
to  affure  him,  that  their  value  as  coin  is  fo  far  from  being  to- 
tally diftincl  from,  that  it  mud  be  prccifely  the  fame  witbj 
their  value  as  a  commodity. 


212 


Essay  on  Monef. 


for  facilitatin;::  the  barter  or  exchange  of  one  commodity 
for  another,  it  has  received  an  aitificial  value  ;    lo  that  al- 
though ufelefs  in  itfeif,  it  h  s  conte  to  he  accepted  among 
sll  civilized  nations,  as  a  token   proving    that   the  perfcn 
who  is  poiicfled  of  it,  had  jT;iven  fomerhinp  ct  real   value  in 
exchange  for  it,  and  is  on  that  account  accepted  oi  by  aiiO- 
t'herin  exchange  for   fon-.ethini;  that  is  or  real  utiliiy  and 
intrinfiC  worth.'*    The  third  is  Sir  J.'nies  Stuart,  va  ho  lays,, 
"By  money,  I  underftand  any  ccniW!odlt\-  v.hich   puvely- 
in  itfeif  is  of  no  material  ufe  to  man,  but  which   acquires 
fcch  ail  eftimation   from  his  opinion  of  it,  ^.s  to  become, 
the  univcrfal  nae^tfure  of  what  is  calUxl  valiie.  and  an  ade- 
quate equivalent  for  any  thing  alienabie."     The  narrie  of 
anym/an  how  great  foe.ver,  will    not   have    nmcb  weight 
with  me,  when  I  perceive  that  in  any  inilance  he  lias  mif- 
taken  his  fubjcd.     This  I  believe   hr.sbeen  the  caie  w  iih, 
^11  the  gentlemen  juU  mentioned.       There  is  a  corfder- 
-^ble  confufipn  in  the  ideas  cn  pre  fled  by  the  laft  tv.o  ;   but- 
the  thing  in  which  they  all  agree,  and  lor  which  tlit)  are 
adduced  by  this,  author,  is,  that  they  feem  to  deny  the  in- 
^biiC  value  of  gold  and  filver,  and  to  iinpnie  the  eliirca- 
tion  in  which  thpy  are  held,  to  accide^ntal  opinion.     Novf 
1  muft.  beg  leave  to  obferve,  as  to  the  coniparifon  of  the 
jntrinfic  worth  of  gold  and  iron,  if  it  were  poilible  lo  de- 
termine whether,  on   fuppolition  of  iron   ai'.d  gold  being- 
in  eq^uai  quantity,  the  one  or  ttie  other  would  be  the  m.oll 
valuable,  it  would  not  be  worth  a  fmgle  llraw    in  the  pre- 
sent queftion  ;  for  if  iron  were  the  moii  valuable,  it  would 
in  that  cafe  be  the  money,  and  the  gold  would  be  but  in 
the  next  degree.     Accidental    opinion  lias  nothing  to  do 
with  it.     It   arifes  from  the   nature  of  things.     As  to  a 
pound  of  gold  not  being,  as  to  intrinfic  value,  equivalent 
to  a  buil^el  of  wheat,  it  n>ight  with  equal  truth  be  ciffit  nied, 
that  to  a  man  perifning  with  hunger,  a  mountain  oi  gold 
Would  not  be  equivalerit   to  half  a  pound  of  bread.     But 
is  this,  any  argument  againd  the  inlrinlic  commercial  va- 
lue of  gold,  as  it  has  taken  place  fmce  the  beginning  of 
the  world. 

..  As  to  the  other  two  authors,  they  feem  to  fay,  that  mo- 
jRey  is  in  iUflf  of  no  value,  und  of  no  material  ufe  to  man. 


Essay  on  Money ^  "a  130 

If  by  money  they  mean  ^old  and  filver,  the  propofition  is 
directly  falid  ;  becaufe  they  are  both  of  materinl  ule  for 
the  purpoi'e  of  Ibcial  hfe.  But  what  has  led  them  into 
this  error  has  been  their  abltracting  the  idea,  and  taking 
money  in  the  fingle  light  of  a  fign»  without  confidering 
it  as  a  ftandard.  Then  no  doubt,  -even  gold,  while  it 
continues  in  this  form,  is  of  no  other  life  than  as  a  fign 
of  property.  But  how  little  is  this  to  the  purpofe  ?  For 
it  is  equally  true  of  every  other  commodity.  A  nail, 
while  it  continues  a  nail,  is  of  no  other  ufe  but  joining 
boards  together,  or  fome  fnnilar  purpofe,  and  can  neither 
be  lock  nor  key  ;  but  a  quantity  of  nails,  or  the  iron 
which  they  contain,  can  be  eafily  converted  into  either  the 
one  or  the  other.  So  a  guinea,  v/hile  it  continues  a  gui- 
nea, is  of  no  life  whatever,  but  as  an  inflrument  of  com- 
Rierce  ;  but  the  gold  of  which  a  guinea  confifls,  can  eafily 
be  converted  into  a  ring,  or  any  thing  which  its  quantity 
will  reach..  Tiiis  is  what  is  called,  with  perfect  propria 
ety,  its  intrinsic  i)alue, 

2.  That  which  is  the  medium  of  commerce  muft  be 
rare.  It  will  not  be  necefiary  to  f^^much  upon  this,  be- 
caufe  it  has  already  received  fome  -illuflration  from  what 
has  gone  before.  It  may  however  be  obferved,  that  the 
medium  of  commerce  mull  not  only  be  fo  rare,  as  to  bring 
it  within  commercial  value  in  ordinary  cafes,  but  ^t  mull 
be  much  more  rare,  than  moft  other  things,  that  its  value 
may  be  increafed,  and  a  fmall  quantity  of  it  may  reprefent 
goods  of  confiderable  variety  and  bulk.  If  gold  and  fil- 
ver were  only  twenty  times  as  [)lentiful  as  they  are  at 
prefent,  they  would  ilill  have  a  proper  value,  could  be 
bought  and  fold,  and  applied  to  many  ufeful  purpofes, 
bot^l^ey  would  be  quite  unf.t  for  general  circulation. 

.3.  The  circulating  medium  muft  h^ portable.  It  muft 
be  capable  of  being  carried  to  a  diftance  with  little  trouble 
or  expence,  and  of  pafling  from  hand  to  hand  with  eafe 
and  expedition.  This  is  one  of  the  reafons  why  it  mull 
be  rare  ;  but  it  deferves  mention  alfo  by  itfelf,  becaufe 
it  is  poiTible  to  conceive  of  things  that  may  be  both  va- 
luable and  rare,  and  yet  incapable  of  being  carried  about, 
&nd  palling  from  one  to  another.     Some  precious  drugs, 


igi4  Essay  on  Moneyl 

and  fome  cunofitles,  may  be  fo  rare  as  to  have  a  high 
value,  and  yet  may  be  quite  improper  for  circulation. 

4.  The  medium  of  commerce  mud  be  divisible.  It 
ought  to  be  capable  of  divifion  into  very  fmall  quantities. 
This  isneceiliiry  in  order  to  anfwer  the  divifion  of  many 
commodities,  and  the  conveniency  of  perfons  of  differ- 
ent ranks.  It  is  of  fuch  importance,  that  in  the  calcula- 
tions of  a  complex  and  divcrfified  commerce,  we  find  di- 
\nfions  and  fra61:ional  parts  even  of  the  fmalleft  coins  or 
denominations  of  money,  that  have  ever  yet  been  brought 
into  ufe. 

5.  Laftly.  The  medium  of  commerce  ought  to  be  du- 
rable. It  ought  to  have  this  quality  on  two  accounts; 
firft,  that  in  perpetually  paffmg  from  hand  to  hand,  it  may 
not  be  broken  or  wafted ;  and,  fecondly,  that  if  it  is  pre- 
ferved  or  laid  up,  as  may  be  fometimes  neceffary,  and 
often  agreeable  or  profitable,  it  may  not  be  liable  to  be 
fpeedily  corrupted  orconfumed. 

All  thefe  particulars  are  not  of  equal  moment  and  they 
have  an  intimate  relation  one  to  another  ;  yet  each  of 
them  is  fmgly  and  feparately  of  importance,  perhaps  more 
than  will  be  at  firft  view  apprehended.  I  think  it  is  alfo 
plain  that  there  is  nothing  yet  known  to  mankind,  in  which 
they  are  all  fo  fully  united,  as  they  are  in  gold  and  filver  ; 
which  is  the  true  reafon  why  thefe  metals  have  been  ap- 
plied as  the  inftrument  of  commerce,  fince  the  beginning 
of  the  world,  or  as  far  back  as  hiftory  enables  us  to  pene- 
trate*. 

*  It  has  been  fuggefled  to  me  by  a  friend,  that  gold  and 
filverpolTefs  another  quality  different  from  all  the  above,  which, 
in  an  eminent  degree,  fits  them  for  circulation  as  a  medium, 
viz,  that  they  are  equable.  The  meaning  of  this  expreffion  is, 
that  the  metal  of  each  of  thefe  fpecies,  when  pure,  is  of  the  fame 
fmenefs  and  worth,  and  perfe6lly  fimilar,  from  whatever  differ- 
ent mines,  or  from  whatever  diftant  parts  it  may  have  been 
procured  ;  which,  it  is  faid,  is  not  the  cafe  with  any  other  me- 
tal. It  is  affirmed,  that  the  copper  or  lead  that  comes  from 
one  mine  will  be  preferable  to  that  which  comes  from  another, 
even  after  this  lail  has  been  refined  to  as  high  a  degree  as  is 
poffible  ;  but  that  all  gold  and  filver  completely  refined  are 
perfectly  alike,  whether  they  come  from  Afia,  Africa,  or  AmC' 


Essay  on  Money.  215 

It  will  probably  throw  fome  light  upon  the  above  tlieo- 
ry,  if  we  take  a  brief  view  of  the  matter,  as  it  has  takea 
place  in  fa6t  from  the  beginning  of  the  world.  This  may 
be  done  now  to  the  greater  advantage,  that  the  effedts  of 
particular  caufes,  and  the  events  that  will  take  place  in 
fociety  in  particular  circumftances,  have  been  ^o  fully 
afcertained  by  the  experience  of  ages,  and  the  progrefs 
of  fcience,  that  we  are  able  to  make  a  better  ufe  of  the 
few  remains  of  ancient  hidory,  than  could  have  been 
done  by  thofe  who  lived  nearer  to  the  events  which  are 
recorded.  It  appears  then,  that  the  difcovery  and  ufe  of 
metals  was  one  of  the  earlied  attainments  of  mankind. 
This  might  naturally  be  expelled  if  they  were  within 
reach  at  all,  becaufe  of  their  very  great  utility  in  all 
works  of  indullry,  and  indeed  for  all  the  purpofes  of  con- 
venience and  luxury.  Therefore,  I  fuppofe  this  fa6t  will 
not  be  doubted  :  but  it  is  a  truth  neither  fo  obvious  nor 
fo  much  known,  that  gold,  filver,  and  brafs,  or  rather 
copper,  were  the  moft  ancient  metals,  and  all  of  them 
antecedent  to  iron*.  Thefe  metals  being  applied  to  all 
the  purpofes  of  life,  came  of  courfe  to  conflitute  a  great 
part  of  the  wealth  of  the  people  of  ancient  times.  I  have 
mentioned  brafs,  becaufe  it  was  one  of  the  metals  earliefl 
known,  and  upon  the  very  principles  above  laid  down, 
was  in  the  beginning  made  ufe  of  for  money  by  many 
ancient  nations.  Its  being  now  in  a  great  meafure  left 
out  is  an  illuftration  and  proof  of  what  has  been  already 

rica.  I  do  not  pretend  to  a  certain  knowledge  of  this;  but  if 
it  be  true,  it  is  well  worthy  of  beinsj  mentioned  in  this  difqui- 
fition. 

*  See  upon  this  fubje6l  Prefident  Goguet's  Rife  and  Pro- 
g;refs  of  Laws,  Arts  and  Sciences.  He  has  not  only  luffici- 
ently  proved  the  fa6\,  but  alio  afligned  the  moft  probable  rea- 
fon  for  it,  that  thefe  metals  were  found  in  many  places  of  the 
earth  almoll  pure,  fo  as  to  need  very  little  art  in  refining; 
whereas  extracling  iron  from  the  ore  is  neither  fo  eafy  nor  fo 
obvious.  We  learn  from  Homer,  that  in  the  wars  of  Troy, 
the  weapons  of  war,  oftenfive  and  defenfive,  were  of  copper; 
and  fome  hiftorians  tell  us  that  they  had  a  method  of  temper- 
ing or  hardening  it  fo  as  to  make  it  tolerably  fit  for  the  pur- 
poIVj  though  gertiikily  not  equal  Lo  iron  or  fteel. 


ilx6  Essay  on  Money, 

faid.  It  is  left  out  for  no  other  reafon  than  its  having  lo(t 
one  of  the  neceffary  qualities,  viz.  rarity.  That  it  wa^ 
rJiade  life  of  for  money  amongll  the  Hebrews  appears  from 
many  circuinftances.  We  read  of  gold,  filver  and  brafs, 
brought  as  contributions  to  the  tabernacle  fervice  in  the 
time  ot  Molec,  and  to  the  building  of  the  temple  in  Da- 
vid's. Tiiat  brafs  v/as  made  ufe  of  as  money  in  the  early 
times  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  appears  both  from  the 
aiTertions  of  hillorians,  and  from  the  very  languages  of 
both  nations,  for  there  it  is  niade  ufe  of  to  fignify  money 
in  general.*  That  it  ceafed  to  ferve  that  purpofe  after- 
wards cannot  be  accounted  for  in  any  other  way  than  aS 
above,  efpecially  as  the  neglect  of  it  has  been  jull  as  uni- 
verfal  as  ihe  ufe  of  it.  was  formerly. 

We  are  alfo  fully  fupported  by  hiflory  in  aiTirmln^, 
that  all  thefe  metals  were  -M  firft  eili mated  and  pdiled  in 
commerce  by  weight.  We  fee  that  Abraham  gave  to 
Ephron  for  the  cave  of  Machpelah,  four  hundred  fliekels 
ol  filver. I  The  Greek  money  was  of  different  weights 
from  the  lower  forts  to  the  talent,  which  was  the  largelh 
The  old  Roman  word  Pondo  was,  as  it  were,  the  llandard, 
and  the  divifions  of  it  confrirated  their  different  denom.i- 
natio:*s.  From  this  we  feem  to  have  derived  the  Englifli 
word  pound.  Very  foon  however  they  came  to  have  ei- 
ther coins,  or  at  leail  fmall  pieces  reckoned  by  number* 
Abimelech  gave  to  Abraham,  as  Sarah's  brother,  one 

*  In  the  Roman  Ianp;iiao-e,  its  fignifies  not  on]y  brafs,  but 
•money  ih  genera!,  and  from  it  many  other  words  are  derived  5 
as,  ararium,  the  treafury ;  as  aUcniun^  debt ;  <sre  mutare,  to  buy 
or  fell  for  money,  kc.  So  in  the  Greek  tongue,  chalkos  ngni- 
fies  brafs,  achaikos  and  achalkein^  to  be  without  money,  or  poor. 
When  the  other  metals  came  to  be  in  ufe  as  money,  the  words 
received  the  fame  meaning  in  the  languat\-e  as,  Argenii  siiis~~-* 
auri  sclera  fame.s^  the  defire  of  nioncy.  1  hincys  proceeded  in  a 
way  pei'fetlly  ftmilar  in  the  three  y.ncient  nations  of  whom  we 
have  the  diftiaClell  accounts,  the  Hebrev/s,  Greeks  and  Ro- 
mans. Nalius  keseph  zahawy  in  Hebrew;  chalkos  arguros  and 
chrusos  in  Greek;  and  cvs argentum  and  aurum^  in  Latin,  are  all 
ufed  for  money  in  general. 

t  See  Geneiis  xxiii.  16.  And  Abraham  weighed  to  Ephron, 
the  money  that  he  had  faid,  in  the  prcfence  of  the  fons  of  Heth, 
*00  ftiekels  of  fiiver,  current  money  with  the  merchant. 


Essay  on  Monej.  117 

(hbufand  kefeph  ;  and  Jofeph  was  fold  fof  tvventy  kefeph, 
and  he  gave  to  his  brother  Benjamin  three  hundred  kefeph. 
As  the  word  kefeph  fignifi^^s  filver,  they  mad  have  been 
reckoned  by  tale,  and  are  probably  very  julUy  tranilated 
pieces.  Agreeabjy  to  all  this,  the  time  when  the  Romans 
began  to  coin  brafs,  and  fome  hundred  years  afterwards 
filver  and  gold,  is  diftindtly  mentioned  by  the  hiftorians*. 
It  may  be  proper  to  olDlerve  here,  that  feveral  anti- 
quaries have  mentioned  that  fome  barbarous  nations  made 
ufeofbafer  metals,  fuch  as  lead,  tin,  iron,  and  even  lea- 
ther, fliells  and  bark  of  trees  for  money.  This  is  no  way 
contrary  Vo  the  above  theory,  for  fome  nations  might  in- 
deed ufe  lead,  iron  and  tin,  as  things  of  value,  upon  the 
fame  principles  as  others  ufed  gold,  filver  and  brafsi  I 
think  it  is  faid,  and  indeed  it  is  more  than  probable^  that 
the  nails  given  by  our  voyagers  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
South-fea  illands,  pafled  from  hand  td  hand  as  inftru- 
ments  of  commerce.  As  to  leather,  fliells,  Sec.  I  fufpe6t 
fome  part  of  this  is  fabulous ;  but  if  it  did  take  place  iri 
nny  meafure,  it  has  been  a  rude  eflay,  ufmg  the  fign  fepa- 
rately  from  the  flandard,  and  could  not  be  of  any  great 
extetlt  or  long  duration.  We  know  indeed  of  one  nation, 
after  fociety  had  been  far  advanced,  that  made  ufe  of  iron, 
even  when  vefy  plentiful,  for  money,  viz.  the  Lacede- 
monians. But  this  was  not  at  all  from  rudenefs  or  igno- 
rance 5  it  Was  one  of  Lycurgus's  extraordinary  inftitu- 
tions,  who  intended  by  it  (and  did  not  conceal  his  inten- 
tion) to  banifli  riches,  or  real  and  proper  money  from  the 
ftate.  He  indeed  baniflied  indullry  at  the  fame  time,  for 
none  of  his  citizens  were  allowed  even  to  be  hufbandmen, 
or  to  cultivate  their  lands.  This  was  left  to  the  flaves. 
I  do  not  find,  therefore,  that  there  is  any  thing  in  hiilory 

*  We  have  the  exprefs  tefumonv  of  Pliny  upon  tlii?fub]e6l, 
lib.  33.  cap.  3.  ^'  Servius  rex  primus fignavit  ses.  Antearudi  ufoa 
Romx  Timaus  tradit.  Sigiiatura  efl  nota  pecudum  unde  ct  pe- 
cunia  appellanta.  Servius  firft  coined  brafs.  Timaus  Tays  they 
ufed  it  formerly  rough  or  uncoined  at  Rome.  It  was  marked 
with  the  figure  of  cattle,  ^vhence  alfo  it  was  called  pecKtiia/' 
The  fame  author  telh  us,  that  filver  began  to  be  coined  at 
Home  in  the  485th  year  of  the  city,  and  gold  73  years  after. 

Vol..  IV,  E  e 


2i8  Essay  on  Money, 

deferving  credit,  that  militates  againft  the  theory  abovft 
laid  down. 

Having  thus  laid  down  the  theory  of  money,  and  fup- 
ported  it  by  hiftory  and  experience,  I  proceed  to  draw  a 
few  inferences  from  it,  and  apply  them  to  fome  opinions 
which  have  taken  place,  and  fome  meafures  which  have 
been  adopted  or  propofed  with  refped  to  currency  and 
commerce  in  this  country.  In  the  firll  place,  the  above 
theory  will  enable  every  intelligent  perfon  to  fix  in  his 
mind  precifely  what  is  or  ought  to  be  the  meaning  of  a 
circulating  medium.  This  phrafe  is  in  every  body's  mouth, 
and  we  meet  with  it  continually  in  the  efiays  publifhed  in 
the  newfpapers,  and  the  fpeeches  of  fenators  in  public 
aflemblics.  We  may  fay  of  this  as  controverfial  divines 
ufed  to  fay  long  ago,  that  a  mifconception  of  this  is  the 
proton  pseudos^  the  radical  error.  Not  long  fmce  a  writer 
in  one  of  the  papers  faid  it  was  agreed  on  all  hands  that 
there  is  at  prefent  a  fcarcity  of  a  circulating  medium. 
To  this  I  anfwer,  that  it  is  not  agreed  upon  on  any  hand, 
but  among  thofe  who  are  wholly  ignorant  of  the  meaning 
of  the  exprefTion.  The  circulating  medium  is  not  yours 
nor  mine  ;  it  is  not  the  riches  of  Holland,  nor  the  poverty 
of  Sweden.  It  is  that  indefinite  quantity  of  the  precious 
metals  that  is  made  ufe  of  among  the  nations  connedled 
in  commerce.  Whether  any  particular  perfon,  city,  or 
nation,  is  rich  or  poor,  has  more  or  lefs  comparatively  of 
it,  is  nothing  to  the  purpofe.  Every  one  will  receive  of 
the  circulating  medium  that  quantity  which  he  is  entitled 
to  by  his  property  or  induftry.  It  has  been  iliown  that 
rarity  is  one  of  the  qualities  of  a  circulating  medium.  If 
it  were  more  rare  than  it  is,  a  lefs  quantity  would  be  fuf- 
ficient  to  reprefent  a  ftated  meafure  of  property.  If  it 
were  more  plentiful  than  it  is,  a  greater  quantity  would  be 
neceffary  ;  but  the  comparative  riches  or  poverty  of  na- 
tions or  perfons  would  be  altogether  the  fame. 

Is  any  body  ignorant  that  half  a  century  ago  in  this 
country,  a  man  might  have  bought  a  bulliel  of  wheat  for 
one  quarter  of  a  dollar,  for  which  now  he  mufl  pay  a 
whole  dollar.  Was  not  the  quarter  dollar  then  as  good  a 
circulatit^g  medium  as  the  whole  dollar  is  now  ?  And  was 


Essay  on  Money.  219 

not  the  man  jud  as  rich  who  had  it  in  his  pocket  ?     Un- 
doubtedly.    Nay,  I  mull  further  fay,  it  was  a  better  cir. 
culating  medium,  becaufe  it  was  oF  lefs  fize  and  weight. 
Has    not  the  quantity  of  the  precious  metals  increafed 
greatly  fince  the  difcovery  of  the  mines  of  South  Ame- 
rica? Is  not  the  quantity  now  neceffary  for  any  confidera- 
ble  purchafe  fo  great  as  to  be  burden fome  in  the  tranfpor- 
taiion  ?  The  price  of  a  good  horfe  in  fdver  would  at  pre- 
fent  be  a  great  incumbrance  on  a  long  journey.     How 
eafy  were  it  to  point  out  places  and  countries  in  which 
there  is  a  greater  quantity  of  the  circulating  medium  than 
any  where  elfe,  and  yet  at  the  fame  time  greater  national 
and  perfonal  poverty,  and  probably  for  this  very  reafon. 
What  would  it  fignify  to  a  laborer  in  the  mines  of  Peru,  if 
he  fhould  get  half  a  Johannes,  or  even  two,  for  a  day^s 
work,  if  at  the  fame  time  he  could  hardly  purchafe  with 
both  as  much  provifion  as  to  keep  body  and  foul  together  ? 
Are  not  thefe  things  true  ?  Arc  they  not  known  to  be  {q  I 
What  then  mud  we  fay  of  the  extreme  ignorance  and  in- 
attention, to  fay  no  worfe,  of  thofe  perfons  who  are  con- 
tinually telling  us  that  there  is  a  want  of  circulating  me- 
dium ?    Are  not  gold  and  filver  a  circulating  medium, 
whofe  currency  is  univerfal  ?  Are  thefe  then  too  fcarce  for 
that  purpofe,  when  there  is  hardly  a  negro  flave,  male  or 
female,  without  fiiver  buckles  in  their  Ihoes,  and  many  of 
them  with  rings  and  other  ornaments  of  gold,  which  five 
hundred  years  ago  would  have  denoted  a  prince  or  prin- 
cefs  ?  Perhaps  I  have  infixed  longer  on  this  than  was  ne- 
eeflary,  but  I  have  been  induced  to  it  by  the  frequent  com- 
plaints upon  this  fubje(^,  and  the  abfurd  application  of  the 
phrafe,  a  circulating  medium.     More  reflexions  will  oc- 
cur, connected  with  this  fubjeQ,  in  the  fubfequent  parts 
of  my  difcourfe.     In   the   mean  time   I  will    clofe   by 
faying  to  my  reader,  you  and  I  may  be  poor  men,  the 
Hate  in  which  we  live  may  be  a  poor  ftate,  we  may  want 
property,  rents,  refources  and  credit,  but  a  circulating 
medium  we  want  not. 

2.  From  the  principles  above  laid  down  it  will  appear, 
that  money  having  as  one  of  its  effential  qualities,  an  in* 
ti"inf:c,  th^t  is  to  fay,  a  commercial  value,  it  mufl  be  not 


%10  Essay  on  Money. 

only  a  fign  and  flandard  or  a  medium  of  commerce,  but 
alfo  itfelf  a  commodity,  or  a  fubjeQ  of  commerce.  There 
are  many  tranfadlions  refpe6ling  money  in  a  trading  na- 
tion, in  which  it  is  confidered  fingly  in  this  view,  Thefe 
it  is  unnecelTary  for  me  to  enumerate,  but  even  where  it  is 
applied  diredlly  or  principally  as  a  medium  of  alienation, 
its  value  as  a  llandard  doth  and  mull  always  follow  and 
accommodate  itfelf  to  its  value  as  a  commodity.  Hence 
it  follows  necefiarily  that  money  muft  be  fubjedl  to  every 
rule  that  other  commodities  are  fubjedl  to  in  buying  and 
felling.  One  of  the  chief  of  thefe  is,  that  it  muft  rife  and 
fall  in  price  according  to  the  quantity  that  is  brought  to 
market,  compared  with  the  demand  there  is  for  it.  This 
is  an  unavoidable  confequence,  and  as  necefTary  in  the 
cafe  of  money  as  in  that  of  any  commodity  whatever. 
If  a  greater  quantity  of  money  than  before  is  brought  into 
any  country,  even  though  brought  by  the  faireft  and  moft 
honorable  means,  viz.  increafing  induftry  and  profitable 
trade,  it  will  have  the  effed  of  raifing  the  price  of  other 
commodities  in  general,  and  of  induftry,  which  is  the 
fource  of  all  commodities.  But  we  muft  obferve,  that 
men  are  apt  to  view  this  in  a  wrong  light.  One  com- 
modity may  rife  or  fall  by  its  own  plenty  or  fcarcenefs ; 
but  when  there  is  a  great  and  general  rife  of  prices,  of  all 
commodities,  it  would  be  at  leaft  as  proper,  or  rather 
much  more  fo,  to  fay  that  money  had  fallen,  than  that 
goods  had  rifen. 

We  had  fo  large  experience  of  this  during  the  war,  by 
the  exceflfive  emiftions  of  paper  money,  that  it  needs  hardi- 
ly any  illuftration.  It  is  true,  fome  perfons  did  then 
?ind  do  now  fuppofe,  that  the  depreciation  of  the  money 
was  owing  as  much  to  the  difaftedion  of  fome  inhabi- 
tants, and  the  counterfeiting,  and  other  artful  endeavors 
of  our  enemies  to  deftroy  it,  as  to  the  increafed  quantity. 
But  in  this  they  were  quite  miftaken.  Jealoufy  or  fufpi- 
qion  of  the  money  would  have  had  very  different  effeds 
from  a  gradual  and  continual  rife  of  prices.  If  I  meet 
with  a  fufpicious  piece  oS.  money,  I  do  not  raife  the  price 
of  my  goods,  but  refufe  to  fell  them.  This  v/as  indeecj 
tte  c^fe With  all  thofe  who  doubted  the  money  of  Con- 


Essay  on  Money ^ 


221 


grefs  in  time  of  the  war.  Befides  it  is  plain,  that  the 
American  caufe  was  molt  doubtful,  and  its  enemies  mod 
numerous  in  the  years  1776  and  1777,  and  yet  the  cur- 
rency of  the  money  was  then  very  general,  and  its  de- 
preciation flow;  whereas  in  the  three  following  years,  when 
in  confequence  of  the  French  treaty  and  other  European 
alliances,  the  confidence  of  the  public  in  the  caufe  was  in- 
creafed,  the  depreciation  was  accelerated  in  an  amazin^r 
degree.  I  mud  alfo  here  make  a  remark  upon  another 
opinion  often  exprelTed  during  the  war,  that  the  deprecia- 
tion mud  have  been  owing  to  other  caufes  than  the  quan- 
tity, becaufe  it  was  greater  than  what  they  called  the  na- 
tural depreciation,  in  confequence  of  the  quantity.  By 
this  they  meant,  that  it  was  not  regular  ;  but  when  the 
quantity  had  arifen,  fuppofe  to  five  for  one,  the  deprecia- 
tion was  as  fifteen  or  twenty  for  one,  Thefe  perfons  did 
notunderftand  the  depreciation  of  a  commodity  in  confe- 
quence of  its  quantity,  for  it  is  not  regular  and  equable, 
as  in  arithmetical  progrelfion,  but  rapid  and  increafing,  fo 
as  foon  to  get  beyond  all  computation.  If  there  is  in  any 
country  but  one  tenth  part  more  of  any  commodity  than 
there  is  any  demand  for,  the  price  will  probably  fall  more 
than  one  half;  and  if  there  is  double  or  treble  the  quantity 
needed,  it  will  be  what  merchants  call  a  drug,  that  cannot 
be  fold  at  all,  but  if  it  be  a  perifhable  commodity,  muft 
fink  in  the  hand  of  the  pofTefTor. 

I  have  faid  above  that  the  increafe  of  money,  even  though 
in  confequence  of  national  profperity,  that  is  to  fay,  in- 
ternal indufiry  and  profitable  trade,  will  yet  neceflarily 
have  the  efFe^l  of  raifing  the  price  of  induflry,  and  its 
fruits.  This,  however,  mufl  evidently  be  in  a  far  higher 
degree,  and  attended  with  much  more  pernicious  efleds, 
when  it  is  thrown  into  circulation  without  induflry  ;  as 
when  filver  is  found  in  capacious  mines,  or  paper  is  iffued 
by  the  authority  of  a  date,  without  meafure  and  without 
end.  I  verily  believe  that  if  as  many  millions  of  filver 
dollars  had  fallen  from  heaven  and  been  thrown  into  cir- 
culation as  there  were  paper  ones  ilTued  by  the  United 
States,  the  diforder  would  have  been  as  great  or  greater 
than  it  was.     At  lead  it  would  have  been  fo  at  fird,  th« 


a22  Essay  on  Money ^ 

tlifFerence  wojilcl  have  been,  that  filver  being  current  over 
all,  it  would  have  ibon  gone  abroad  and  found  its  level,  fo 
that  the  alteration  would  have  been  ultimately  not  in  the 
United  States,  but  in  the  general  circulating  medium  over 
the  whole  earth.  Thofe  however  among  whom  it  was 
iirft  found,  and  who  received  it  without  indudry,  would 
have  fuffered  mofl:  by  it.  Among  them  it  would  have 
produced  lazincfs  and  luxury.  Other  nations  would  have 
drained  it  froui  them  only  by  fuperior  induflry.  The 
ilate  of  the  Spanifh  monarchy  at  prefen:  ought  to  be,  and 
indeed  in  a  great  meafure  has  been,  a  leiTon  to  the  whole 
world.  At  the  time  when  they  got  pofleffion  of  South- 
America  they  were  the  mod  powerful  and  wealthy  ilate 
in  Europe.  Would  any  man  at  that  time  have  been 
reckoned  found  in  his  judgment  who  fhould  have  affirmed 
that  they  would  have  grown  poor,  by  the  means  of  the 
gold  and  filver  mines  ?  Yet  it  has  happened  fo,  and  now 
there  is  hardly  any  politician  fo  fliallow  but  he  can  affign 
the  reafon  of  it.  They  thought  that  gold  and  filver  would 
at  once  procure  them  every  thing  without  working  ;  but 
forgot  that  the  more  they  had  of  it,  they  mud  pay  fo  much 
the  more  to  thofe  who  were  willing  to  work  for  them. 

3.  The  above  principles  will  clearly  fliow,  that  what  is 
commonly  called  paper  money,  that  is,  bills  bearing  that 
the  perfon  holding  them  is  entitled  to  receive  a  certain 
fum  fpecifiedin  them,  is  not,  properly  fpeaking,  money 
at  all.  It  is  barely  a  fign  without  being  a  pledge  or  fland- 
ard  of  value,  and  therefore  is  effentially  defective  as  a  me- 
dium of  univerfal  commerce,  1  will  afterwards  fpeak  of 
the  different  kmds  of  it,  and  point  out  their  real  and  pro- 
per ufes;  but  in  the  mean  time  I  obferve,  that  to  arm 
fuch  bills  with  the  authority  of  the  date,  and  make  them  a 
legal  tender  in  all  payments,  is  an  abfurdity  fo  great,  that 
is  not  eafy  to  fpeak  with  propriety  upon  it.  Perhaps  it 
would  give  oflence  if  I  fhould  fay,  it  is  an  abfurdity  re- 
ferved  for  American  legiflatures ;  no  fuch  thing  having 
ever  been  attempted  in  the  old  countries.  It  has  been 
found,  by  the  experience  of  ages,  that  money  mud  have  a 
iiandard  of  value,  and  if  any  prince  or  date  debafe  the 
metal  below  the  dandard,  it  is  utterly  impoffible  to-  mako 


Essay  on  Money »  223 

it  fucceed.  How  then  can  it  be  pofllble  to  make  that  fuc- 
ceed,  which  has  no  value  at  all  I  In  all  fuch  inllances, 
there  may  be  great  injuries  done  to  particular  perfons  by 
wiping  oft' debts  ;  but  to  give  llich  money  general  cur- 
rency is  wholly  impoffible.  The  meafure  carries  ablur- 
dity  in  its  very  face.  Why  will  you  make  a  law  to  o- 
blige  men  to  take  money  when  it  is  offered  them  ?  Are 
there  any  who  rcfufe  it  when  it  is  good  ?  If  it  is  neceffa- 
ry  to  force  them,  does  not  this  denionflrate  that  it  is  not 
good  ?  We  have  feen  indeed  this  1)  Hem  produce  a  moft 
ludicrous  inverfion  of  the  nature  of  things.  For  two  or 
three  years  we  conflantly  faw  and  were  informed  of  cre- 
ditors running  away  from  their  debtors,  and  the  debtors 
purfuing  them  in  triumph,  and  paying  them  without 
mercy. 

Let  us  examine  this  matter  a  little  more  fully.  Money 
is  the  medium  of  commercial  tranfadions.  Money  is  it- 
felf  a  commodity.  Therefore  every  tranfadlion  in  v/hich 
money  is  concerned,  by  being  given  or  promifcd,  is  ftricl- 
ly  and  properly  fpeaking,  a  bargain,  or  as  it  is  \wt\\  called 
in  common  language,  an  agreement.  To  give,  therefore, 
authority  or  nominal  value  by  law  to  any  money,  is  in- 
terpofmgby  law,  in  commerce,  and  is  precifely  the  fame 
thing  with  laws  regulating  the  prices  of  commodities,  of 
which,  in  their  full  extent,  we  had  fufficient  experience 
during  the  war.  Now  nothing  can  be  more  radically 
unjuft,  or  more  eminently  abfurd,  than  laws  of  that  nature. 
Among  all  civilians,  the  tranfaflions  of  commerce  are 
ranged  under  the  head  of  contrads.  Without  entering 
into  the  nicer  diftindions  of  writers  upon  this  fubjed,  it  is 
fufficient  for  me  to  fay,  that  commerce,  or  buying  and  fell- 
ing, is  found  upon  that  fpecies  of  contrails  that  is  moll 
formal  and  complete.  They  are  called  in  the  technical 
language,  Onerous  contracts^  where  the  proper  and  jull 
value  is  fuppofed  to  be  given  or  promifed,  on  both  fides. 
That  is  to  fay,  the  perfon  who  offers  any  thing  to  fale, 
does  it  becaufe  he  has  it  to  fpare,  and  he  thinks  it  would 
be  better  for  him  to  have  the  money,  or  fome  other  com- 
modity, than  what  he  parts  with;  and  he  who  buys,  in 
like  Planner,  thinks  it  would  be  better  for  him  to  receive 


224  Essay  on  Money, 

the  commodity,  than  to  retain  the  money.  There  m^f 
be  miilakes  or  fraud  in  many  tranfa6tions  ;  but  thele  da 
not  afFedl  the  argument  in  the  leafl.  A  fair  and  juft  va* 
lue  is  always  fuppofed  or  profefTed  to  be  given  on  both 
fides. 

Well !  is  it  agreed  that  all  commerce  is  founded  on  a 
complete  contrad  ?  Let  then  any  perfon  who  will,  open 
as  many  books  as  he  pleafes  written  upon  the  fubjecty 
and  tell  me  whether  he  does  not  always  find  there  that 
one  of  the  efTential  conditions  of  a  lawful  contradl,.  and 
indeed  the  firlt  of  them,  is,  that  it  be  free  and  mutuaL 
Without  this  it  may  be  fomething  elfe,  and  have  fome 
other  binding  force,  but  it  is  not  a  contrad.  To  make 
laws  therefore,  regulating  the  prices  of  commodities,  or 
giving  nominal  value  to  that  which  had  no  value  before  the 
law  was  made,  is  altering  the  nature  of  the  tranfadlion 
altogether.  Perhaps  a  comparifon  of  this  with  other 
tranfadtions  of  a  different  kind  might  fet  this  matter  in 
a  clear  light.  Suppofe  a  man  were  to  fay,  to  one  of  our 
lawgivers  upon  this  fubjed  as  follows  :  When  you  make 
a  law  laying  on  a  tax,  and  telling  me  I  muft  pay  fo  much 
to  the  public  and  common  expences  of  the  flate,  I  iinder- 
jland  this  very  well.  It  falls  under  the  head  of  authoriiy. 
You  may  lay  on  an  improper  or  injudicious  tax  that  will 
operate  unequally,  or  not  be  productive  of  what  you  ex- 
pedl;  but  Hill  this  is  within  your  line,  and  if  I  have  any 
complaint,  I  can  only  wifli  that  at  the  next  ele£lion  we 
may  get  wifer  men.  Again,  a  Juftice  of  Peace  in  time 
of  war  may  give  a  prefs-warrant,  and  take  my  horfes  and 
waggons  to  tranfport  provifions  or  baggage  for  an  army. 
I  underftand  this  alib ;  writers  and  reafoners  tell  me  that 
it  falls  under  the  head  of  what  they  call  the  rights  ofne^ 
cessity.  The  meaning  of  this  is,  that  no  civil  conflitu- 
tion  can  be  fo  perfedl  but  that  fome  cafes  will  occur,  in 
which  the  property  of  individuals  mud  give  way  to  the 
urgent  call  of  common  utility  or  general  danger.  Thus 
we  know,  that  in  cities,  in  cafe  of  a  fire,  fometimes  a 
houfe,  without  the  confent  of  its  owner,  will  be  deflroyed 
to  prevent  the  whole  from  being  confumed.  But  if  you 
make  a  law  that  I  Ihall  be  obliged  to  sell  my  grain,  my 


£ssay  on  Money,  225 

cattle,  or  any  commadity,  at  a  certain  price,  you  not 
only  do  what  is  unjiift  and  impolitic,  but  with  all  refpedl 
be  it  faid,  you  fpeak  nonfenfe  ;  for  I  do  not  sell  them  at 
all :  you  take  them  from  me.  You  are  both  buyer  and 
feller,  and  I  am  the  fufferer  only. 

I  cannot  help  obferving  that  laws  of  this  kind  have  an 
inherent  weaknefs  in  them;  they  are  not  only  unjuft  and 
unwife,  but  for  the  mod  part  impradicable*  They  are  an 
attempt  to  apply  authority  to  that  which  is  not  its  proper 
objedt^  and  to  extend  it  beyond  its  natural  bounds ;  in 
both  which  we  fhall  be  fure  to  fail.  The  produdion  of 
commodities  mud  be  the  effedl  of  indullry,  inclination, 
hope,  and  intereft.  The  fird  of  thefe  is  very  imperfedtly 
reached  by  authority,  and  the  other  three  cannot  be  reach- 
ed by  it  at  all.  Perhaps  I  ought  rather  to  have  faid,  that 
they  cannot  be  directed  by  it,  but  they  may  be  greatly 
counteracted  ;  as  people  have  naturally  a  (Irong  difpofition 
to  refill  force,  and  to  efcape  from  conftraint.  Accord* 
ingly  we  found  in  this  country,  and  every  other  fociety 
who  ever  tried  fuch  meafures  found,  that  they  produced 
an  effect  diredlly  contrary  to  what  was  expected  from 
them.  Inftead  of  producing  moderation  and  plenty,  they 
uniformly  produced  dearnefs  and  fcarcity.  It  is  worth 
while  to  obferve,  that  fome  of  our  legiflatures  faw  fo  far 
into  thefe  matters  as  to  perceive  that  they  could  not  regu» 
late  the  price  of  commodities,  without  regulating  the  price 
of  the  indullry  that  produced  them.  Therefore  they  re- 
gulated the  price  of  day-laborers.  This  however,  though 
but  one  fpecies  of  induftry,  was  found  to  be  wholly  out  of 
their  power. 

There  were  fome  inflances  mentioned  at  the  time  when 
thefe  meafures  were  in  vogue,  which  fuperficial  reafoners 
fuppofed  to  be  examples  of  regulating  laws  attended  with 
good  effects.  Thefe  were  the  regulation  of  the  prices  of 
chairs,  hackney-coaches,  and  ticket  porters  in  cities,  pub- 
lic ferries,  and  fome  others.  But  this  was  quite  mi  flaking 
the  nature  of  the  thing.  Thefe  inilances  have  not  the 
lead  connexion  with  laws  regulating  prices  in  voluntary 
commerce.  In  all  thefe  cafes  the  perfons  who  are  employ, 
ed  folicit  the  privilege,  obtain  a  licence,  and  come  ynder 

Vol.  IV.  F  f 


526  Essay  on  Money. 

voluntary  engagements  to  afii  no  higher  prices  ;  fo  that 
there  is  as  complete  a  free  contrail  as  in  buying  and  fell- 
ing in  open  (liops.     I  am  fo  fully  convinced  of  the  truth 
and  juflice  of  the  above  principles,  that  I  think,  were  it 
proper  at  this  time,  1  could  Ihow,  that  even  in  the  mod 
enlightened  nations  of  Europe  there  are  ftill  fome  laws 
fuhfifling  which  work  in  dire(Sl  oppofition  to  the  intention 
of  their  makers.     Of  this  kind  in  general  are  the  laws  a- 
gainfl  foreflalling  and  regrating.     They  are  now  indeed 
mod:  of  them  afleep,  and  what  the  lawyers  call  in  defue- 
tude  ;  but  fo  far  as  they  are  executed,  they  have  the  mofl: 
powerful  tendency  to  prevent,  inftead  of  promoting,  full 
and  reafonable  markets.     As  an  example  of  our  own  fkill 
in  that  branch,  a  law  was  pad  in   Pennfylvania  in  time 
of  the  war  precifely  upon  that  principle.    It  ordained  that 
in  all  imported  articles  there  fliould  be  but  one  ftep  be- 
tween the  importer  and  confumer,  and  therefore  that  none 
but  thofe  who  bought  from  the  (hip  fhould  be  allowed  to 
fell  again.     I  cite  this  inflance  by  memory,  but  am  cer- 
tain that  fuch  was  the  fpiril  of  the  law.     The  makers  of 
it  confidered  that  every  hand  through  which  a  commo- 
dity palled  mud  have  a  profit  upon  it,  which  would  there- 
fore greatly   augment  the  cod  to  the  confumer  at   lad. 
But  could  any  thing  in  the  world  be  more  ablurd  ?  How 
could  a  family  at  one  hundred  miles  didance  from  the 
feaport  be  fupplied  with  what  they  wanted  ?  In  oppofition 
to  this  principle  it  may  be  fafely  affirmed,  that  the  more 
merchants  the  cheaper  goods,  and  that  no  carriage  is  fo 
cheap,  nor  any  didribution  fo  equal  or  fo  plentiful  as  thai 
which  is  made  by  thofe  who  have  an  intered  in  it,  and 
expedl  a  profit  frt)m  it. 

I  have  gone  into  this  detail  in  order  to  diow  that  ten- 
der  laws,  arming  paper,  or  any  thing  not  valuable  in 
itfelf  with  authority  are  diredlly  contrary  to  the  very  fird 
principles  of  commerce.  This  was  certainly  the  more 
neceffary,  becaufe  many  of  the  advocates  for  fuch  laws, 
and  many  of  thofe  who  are  inftrumental  in  enading  them, 
do  it  from  pure  ignorance,  without  any  bad  intention.  It 
may  probably  have  fome  efle61:  in  opening  their  eyes  to 
obferve,  that  no  paper  whatever  is  a  tender  in  apy  nation 


Essay  en  Money.  ii*j 

in  Earope.    "Even  the  notes  of  the  bank  of  England, 
which  are  as  good  as  gold,  and  thofe  of  the  bank  of  Hol- 
land, which  are  confiderably  better*,  are  not  armed  with 
any  fuch  fandion,  and  are  not  a  legal  tender  in  the  proper 
ienfe  of  that  word.     That  is  to  fay,  though  I  fuppofe  both 
of  them,  or  any  other  paper  circulating  in  full  credit  may 
be  a  tender  in  equity,  fo  far  as  that  the  perfon  offering 
them  without  fufpicion  of  their  being  refufed,  could  not  be 
condemned  in  any  penalty  or  forfeiture  ;  yet  if  the  perfon 
who  was  to  receive  the  money  fliould  fay,  I   am  going 
abroad,  I  want  gold  or  filver ;  it  would  lie  upon  the  debt- 
or and  not  the  creditor  to  go  and  get  them  exchanged. 
We  may  perhaps  even  fay  more,  viz.  that  the  coinage  of 
gold  and  filver  in  any  country  is  not  fo  much,  if  at  all  to 
oblige  perfons  to  receive  it  at  a  certain  value,  as  to  afcer- 
tain  them  that  it  is  of  the  value  ilampt  upon  it.     With- 
out this  ignorant  perfons  would  be  continually  at  a  lofs 
to  know  the  finenefs  and  the  weight  of  a  piece  offered 
to  them.     This  will  appear  from  the  two  following  re- 
marks,    (i)  If  by  any  accident  in  the  coinage,  or  fraud 
in  the  officers  of  the   mint,  fome  of  the  pieces  had  not 
the  full  quantity,  or  were  not  of  fufficient  finenefs,  though 
the  flamp  were  ever  fo  genuine,  if  I  could  difcover  the 
defedl,  I  fhould  be  juftified  in  refufing  it.     (2)  There  is 
ibmetimes  a  fludluation  in  the  comparative  value  of  gold 
and  filver,  and  in  thefe  cafes,  though  no  doubt  a  debtor, 
till  the  error  that  has  crept  in  be  re6lified  by  authority, 
has  a  right  to  pay  in  any  lawful  money ;  yet  if  I   were 
felling  goods,  and  gold  had  fallen  in  its  value,  I  might 
fafely  fay  to  the  cuflomer,  in  what  coin  are  you  to  pay 

*  Perhaps  it  may  be  proper  to  inform  fome  readers  what 
this  exprelfion  refers  to.  It  refers  to  the  agio  of  the  bank  of 
Holland.  A  bill  of  that  bank  generally  goes  for  a  little  more 
in  payment  with  any  dealer  than  the  fam  it  fpecifies,  and  this 
advance  or  difference  is  callen  the  Agio  of  the  Bank,  and  rifes 
or  falls  like  the  rate  of  exchange.  This  probably  arifes  from 
its  perfe6l  fecurity,  and  the  very  great  advantage  in  point  of 
eafe  and  expedition,  in  transferring,  reckoning,  and  concealing 
of  paper  above  gold  and  filver.  It  gives  occalionto  ihe  vulgar 
faying  in  that  country,  That  money  goes  into  the  bank  but 
nevei"  comes  out. 


%^i^  Essay  on  Monsyl 

jne  ?  I  will  give  you  a  yard  of  this  filk  for  twenty-one  ftef-: 
ling  filver  fliillings,  but  if  you  give  me  a  guinea  I  muft 
have  another  fhilling  before  I  will  part  with  it.  The 
whole  of  this  ferves  to  (how  that  nothing  fliort  of  real  mo- 
ney, which  is  of  (landard  value,  ought  to  be  enforeed  by 
law  in  a  well  regulated  fociety. 

4.  The  principles  above  laid  down  will  enable  us  io 
perceive  clearly  what  is  the  nature  of  paper  circulating  as 
a  medium  of  commerce,  what  is  its  real   and  proper  ufe, 
and  what  are  its  dangers  and  defeats.     As  to  its  nature,  it 
is  a  fign  but  not  a  llandard.     It  is  properly  an  obligation^ 
or  to  ufe  a  modern  commercial  phrafe,  it  is  a  promifTory 
note,     it  is  not  money,  as  has  been  fhown  above,  but  it 
is  a  promife  of  fome  perfon  or  body  of  men  to  pay  money 
either  on  demand  or  at  a  particular  time,  or  fome  general 
undefined  future  time.     Obligations  of  this  nature  are  of 
more  forts  than  one.     Sometimes  they  are  given  by  par- 
ticular perfons,  or  trading  companies,  who  are  confidered 
as  perfons  ;  and  frequently  in  America  they  have  beea 
given  by  the  legiflature  of  the  ftate.     In  the  general  de- 
finition  I  have  included  all  kinds  of  negotiable  paper,  but 
it  will  not  be  neceffary  to  infill  upon  more  than  two   of 
them,  viz.  the  notes  of  banking   companies,  and  flate 
emiflions.     Bills  of  exchange  are  not  fuppofed  to  pafs 
through  many  hands,  but  to  proceed  as  fpeedily  as  may 
be  to  the  place  of  their  payment.     Government  fecurities 
are  only  bought  and  fold  like  other  property,  and  fo  any 
bonds  or  other  private  obligations,  may  be  transferred  as 
often  as  people  are  willing  to  receive  them  ;  but  the  notes 
of  banking  companies,  and  the  ftate  emiflions  of  this  coun- 
try are  intended  to  be,  properly  fpeaking,  a  circulating 
medium.     They  are  of  various  regular  denominations, 
and  intended  to  anfwer  all  the  purpofes  of  money  in  the 
fmaller  tranfa6tions  of  focicty  as  well  as  the  larger,  and 
even  go  to  market  for  purchafing  the  necefl^aries  of  life. 

As  to  value,  fuch  obligations  muft  plainly  depend  upon 
the  credit  of  the  fubfcriber  or  obligor,  and  the  opinion  or 
expectation  of  the  receiver.  Thefe  are  mutually  necef- 
fary to  their  ufe  in  commerce.  Let  the  refources  or  wealth 
^f  the  fubfcriber  be  what  they  m>ay,  it  is  the  public  opi- 


Essay  on  Money.  ii^ 

tibn  that  mud  ultimately  give  them  currency.  This  opU 
nion,  however,  may  be  in  fome  inftances  better,  and  in 
fome  worfe  founded.  That  paper  which  may  with  moft 
certainty  and  expedition  be  converted  into  gold  and  fiU 
ver.  Teems  evidently  to  have  the  advantage  on  this  ac- 
count. Therefore  the  notes  of  banking  companies,  while 
they  maintain  their  credit,  and  continue  to  pay  on  de* 
mand,  appear  to  be  the  bed  calculated  for  general  ufe. 
They  feem  alfo  to  have  another  advantage,  that  private 
perfons  and  companies  are  upon  a  footing  with  the  holder 
of  the  bills.  He  can  arreft  them,  and  bring  them  to  ac- 
count and  have  juftice  done  upon  them  ;  whereas  he  can- 
not call  the  legiflature  to  account,  but  mult  wholly  de- 
pend upon  their  fidelity-'as  well  as  refources.  Yet  it  mud 
be  owned  there  have  not  been  wanting  inilances  formerly 
in  this  country,  in  which  paper  emiflions  by  the  Hates 
have  obtained  full  confidence,  and  met  with  no  impedi- 
ment in  circulation. 

Let  us  now  confider  what  is  the  proper  ufe  of  paper 
currency, .  or  whether  it  be  of  any  real  ufe  at  all.  Many 
perfons  in  Europe  have  declared  againft  it  altogether  as 
pernicious.  I  will  endeavor  to  ftate  this  matter  with  all 
the  clearnefs  I  am  capable  of,  and  to  give  the  reafons  for 
what  I  fliall  advance.  We  have  feen  above  that  nothing 
can  be  more  abfurd  than  to  fay  that  we  now  want  a  circu- 
lating medium,  and  that  paper  is  neceffary  for  that  purpofe. 
A  circi)lating  medium  we  have  already,  not  in  too  fmall, 
but  in  too  great  quantity  ;  fo  that  any  perfon  who  under- 
Hands  the  fubject  may  perceive  that  gold  and  filver,  efpe- 
cially  the  laft,  is  lofmg  at  lead  one  of  the  qualities  necef- 
fary for  that  purpofe,  and  becoming  too  bulky  and  heavy 
for  eafy  and  convenient  tranfportation.  Brafs,  as  has 
been  diown  above,  was  once  as  jud  and  proper  a  medium 
of  commerce  as  gold  and  filver  are  now.  It  has  all  the 
qualities  neceffary  for  that  purpofe  dill,  except  rarity  ; 
fo  that  if  it  were  not  too  plentiful  and  too  cheap,  it  would 
be  money  to  this  day.  It  is  probable  that  this  circum- 
ftance  of  the  abundance  and  weight  of  the  precious  me- 
tals is  what  gives  to  many  fuch  an  inclination  for  paper 
jnonpy.     This  will  appear  ftrange  to  fome,  yet  I  believe 


;^3<^  Essay  on  Monty. 

it  is  at  bottom  jufl.  The  cry  with  many'  is,  we  mufl:  have 
paper  for  a  circulating  medium,  as  there  is  fuch  a  fcarcity 
of  gold  and  filver.  Is  this  jufl  ?  No.  They  miilake  their 
own  poverty,  or  the  nation's  poverty,  for  a  fcarcity  of  gold 
and  filver  ;  whereas  in  fa6t,  gold  and  filver  ufed  as  a  cir- 
culating medium  are  fo  cheap,  and  the  quantity  of  a  mo. 
derate  fum  is  fuch  an  incumbrance  that  we  want  paper, 
which  can  be  much  more  eafily  carried,  and  much  more 
effedtually  concealed.  So  that,  contrary  to  the  vulgar 
idea,  we  are  obliged  to  have  recourfe  to  paper  in  feveral 
cafes,  not  for  want  of  gold  and  filver,  but  their  too  great 
abundance. 

This  >vili  appear  to  be  a  very  uncouth  idea  to  many 
perfons.  What,  they  will  fay,  too  great  abundance  of 
gold  and  ftlver  !  when  I  go  about  from  day  to  day,  and 
cannot  colled  what  is  due  to  me  ;  when  my  creditors'  are 
calling  upon  me  and  I  cannot  fatisfy  them.  There  is  a 
fcarcity  of  money  every  where.  What  fhall  be  faid  to 
fatisfy  thefe  perfons  ?  I  mud  tell  them  plainly,  It  is  their 
poverty,  or  the  nation's  poverty,  and  not  a  want  of  gold 
and  filver,  and  if  there  were  an  hundred  times  as  much 
gold  and  filver  in  circulation  as  there  is,  their  poverty  and 
difficulties  would  be  juft  the  fame.  If  thefe  perfons  read 
the  fcriptures  they  may  there  learn,  that  in  Solomon's 
time  the  filver  was  as  plentiful  as  stones  in  Jerusalem  ; 
probably  they  will  think  that  all  the  people  in  Jerufalem 
at  that  time  mufi  have  lived  like  princes,  but  they  muft 
be  told,  that  it  was  added  as  a  necefl*ary  confequence,  that 
it  was  nothing  accounted  of  in  the  days  of  Solomon, 

If  paper  is  not  then  needed  as  a  circulating  medium-, 
what  benefits  arifes  from  it  ?  I  anfwer,  the  ufes  of  paper 
fubftituted  for  money  may  be  fummed  up  under  the  two 
following  heads  :( I.)  It  is  ufeful  for  facilitating  com- 
merce. (2.)  It  is  ufeful  for  anticipating  property  or  ex- 
tending] credit.  Firft,  it  is  ufeful  for  facilitating  com- 
merce. Nothing  can  be  more  advantageous  for  that  pur- 
pofe  than  bills  of  exchange,  which,  without  the  adual 
tranfportation  of  money  or  goods,  can  transfer  property 
even  to  the  moll  diftant  places  with  the  moll  perfetl  faci- 
lity.   There  have  been  many  perfons  who  have  doubted 


Jlssay  on  Money.  231 

whether  any  other  fort  of  paper  currency  is  not  upon  the 
whole  hurtful,  but  the  benefit  of  this  is  beyond  all  quelUon. 
We  fliall  afterwards  compare  the  advantages  and  difadvan- 
tages  of  paper  money  ;  but  at  prefent  let  us  leave  out  the 
confideration  of  the  evil  that  it  does,  and   it  is  manifefl 
that  there  is  lb  great  a  facility  and  fafety  in  the  tranfpor- 
tation  of  paper  above  that  of  gold  and  filver,  that  it  mud 
greatly  expedite  all  mercantile  tranfa6tions,   internal  and 
external.     Suppofe  one  hundred  thoufand  pounds  were 
to  be  tranfported  but  three  hundred  miles,  if  it  were  to  be 
carried  in  filver,  what  an  immenfe  load  would  it  be  ?  But 
befides  the  weight,  as  it  could  not  be  concealed,  there 
would  be  a  very  great  rifle  of  inviting  robbers  to  fhare  in 
it.     Let  it  be  carefully  obferved,  that  this  good  efFc6l  of 
paper  is  not  from  the  additional  quantity  thrown  into  cir- 
culation, but  from  its  pofieffing  fome  advantages  fuperior 
to  gold  and  filver,  provided  that  the  credit  of  it  is  fup- 
ported.     Nor  muft  it  be  forgotten,  that  it  is  in  great  and 
extenfive  negociations   only,    that  this  advantage  is  pof- 
fefled  by  paper  ;  for  in  fmaller  bargains  and  that  inter, 
courfe  between  man  and  man  that  is  carried  on  every 
hour,  it  pofiefles  no  advantage  at  all ;  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  liable  to  wear  and  wafte,  and  therefore  the  fmaller  coins 
are  in  all  refpe^ls  to  be  preferred. 

2.  Another  ufe  of  paper  in  commerce  is  to  extend 
credit.  Though  in  very  large  tranfadlions  the  advantage 
of  paper  may  be  great,  as  it  facilitates  commerce  ;  yet 
when  we  confider  paper  as  generally  circulating,  and  do- 
ing the  office  of  gold  and  filver,  it  is  by  the  extenfion  of 
credit  only,  or  chiefly,  that  it  can  be  of  any  advantage. 
It  is  unnecefTary  for  me,  and  perhaps  not  in  my  power, 
to  mention  all  the  ways  in  which  credit  may  be  increafed 
or  faciliated  by  paper.  Seme  will  probably  be  mention- 
ev.1  afterwards  ;  at  prefent  my  bufmefs  is  to  (liow,  that 
giving  credit  is  one  of  the  advantages,  and  indeed  in  my 
opinion  it  is  the  principle  advantage,  to  be  derived  from 
paper  circulation  of  any  kind.  There  are  many  people 
whofe  indudry  is  damped  or  limited  by  want  of  fiock  or 
credit,  vv'ho  if  they  were  properly  alTiIted  in  thefe  refpe^s, 
might  do  fignal  fervice  to  therafelvss,  and  the  community 


232  Essay  on  Money. 

of  which  they  are  members.  It  has  been  generally  fatd,- 
and  I  believe  with  truth,  that  the  inflitution  of  the  banks 
in  Scotland  has  improved  the  country  in  the  courfe  of 
little  more  than  half  a  century,  to  a  degree  that  is  hardly 
credible.  It  is  alfo  probable,  that  the  manufactures  and 
commerce  of  England  have  been  greatly  promoted  by  the 
eafy  and  regular  methods  of  obtaining  credit  from  the 
public  and  private  banks.  I  am  fenfible  that  fome  very 
intelligent  perfons  in  Britain  have  condemned  the  paper 
circulation  even  there,  and  afHrmed  that  it  does  more 
harm  than  good.  It  is  not  neceffary  for  me  to  enter  into 
the  arguments  on  either  fide  of  that  queftion.  All  that  I 
am  concerned  to  prove  is,  that  if  it  does  good  upon  the 
whole,  or  whatever  good  it  does  in  any  degree,  arifes  from 
the  credit  which  it  is  the  occafion  of  extending  ;  and  this 
I  think  can  hardly  be  denied.* 

Let  us  next  confider  the  evil  that  is  done  by  paper. 
This  is  what  I  would  particularly  requeit  the  reader  to 
attend  to,  as  it  was  what  thisdifcourfe  was  chiefly  intend- 
ed to  evince,  and  what  the  public  feems  but  little  aware 
of.  The  evil  is  this  :  All  paper  introduced  into  circula- 
tion, and  obtaining  credit  as  gold  and  filver,  adds  to  the 
quantity  of  the  medium,  and  thereby,  as  has  been  fhown 
above,  increafes  the  price  of  indullry  and  its  fruits.  |  This 

*  That  I  may  flate  the  matter  with  fairnefs  and  fulnefs,  I 
will  juft  obferve,  that  the  enemies  of  paper  fay,  the  improve- 
ment was  only  coeval  with  the  banks,  but  not  caufed  by  thenx 
in  whole,  nor  in  any  great  degree.  The  banks  happened  to  be 
nearly  coeval  with  the  revolution,  and  the  union  of  England 
and  Scotland  ;  both  which  important  events  are  fuppofed  to 
have  been  caufes  of  improvement  to  Scotland.  However  the 
experience  of  the  lad  thirty  or  forty  years  appears  to  be  confi- 
derably  in  favor  of  banks  and  dealers  in  money  and  bills,  which 
I  confider  as  elfentially  the  fame. 

t  This  will  perhaps  be  mifapprchended  by  fome  readers. 
They  will  fay,  a  high  price  for  our  induil;ry  1  This  is  juft  what 
we  want,  and  what  all  defire.  But  the  price  I  mean  here  is 
not  the  price  which  you  get  for  your  induftry,  but  that  which 
you  pay  for  it.  A  high  price,  by  a  great  demand  from  foreign 
nations,  is  your  prolit  ;  but  the  coft  which  you  pay  for  fer- 
vants',  tools,  rent  of  land,  kc.  leffens  that  profit,  audit  is  this 
which  is  increafed  by  iucreafmg  the  circulating  medium,  and 


Essay  on  Money.  %%% 

c^dnfeqiience  is  unavoidable,  and  follows  as  certainly  from 
good  paper  as  bad,  or  rather  more  certainly^  for  the  me- 
dium is  increafed  only  by  that  which  obtains  credit.  At 
the  fame  time  this  confequence  is  local,  becaufe  the  paper 
does  not  pafs  among  other  nations,  and  therefore  it  works 
againlt  the  iniereil  of  the  people  who  ufe  it,  and  necelTa- 
rily  draws  ofF  their  gold  and  litver,  which  mull  be  made 
life  of  in  all  foreign  payments.  Men  may  think  what  they 
pleafe,  but  there  is  no  contending  with  the  nature  of 
things.  Experience  has  every  where  jullified  the  ren»ark, 
that  wherever  paper  is  introduced  in  large  quantities,  the 
gold  and  filver  vanifhes  univeriiiily.  The  joint  Turn  of 
gold,  filver,  and  paper  current,  will  exactly  reprefent  your 
whole  commodities,  and  the  prices  will  be  accordingly.  li 
is  therefore  as  if  you  were  to  fill  a  veflel  brim  full,  making 
half  the  quantity  water  and  the  other  oil,  the  laft  being 
fpecifically  lighteft,  will  be  at  the  top,  and  if  you  add 
more  water,  the  oil  only  will  run  over,  and  continue  run- 
ning till  there  is  none  left.  How  abfurd  and  contempti- 
ble then  is  the  reafoning  whicli  we  have  of  late  feen  fre- 
quently in  prints  viz,  the  gold  and  filver  i§  going  away 
from  us,  therefore  we  mull  have  papei*to  fupply  its  place. 
If  the  gold  and  filver  is  indeed  going  away  from  us,  that 
is  to  fay^  if  the  balance  of  trade  is  rhuch  againft  us,  the 
paper  medium  has  a  direct  tendency  to  increafe  the  evil, 
and  fend  it  a  Way  by  a  quicker  pace* 

I  have  faid^  that  this  confequence  follows  fi-om  all  pa- 
per,  as  fuch,  good  and  bad,  fo  far  as  it  enters  into  circula- 
lion  ;  but  every  one  muil  perceive  that  there  is  a  peculiar 
and  indeed  a  different  evil  to  be  feared  from  paper  of  3 
doubtful  kind,  and  efpecially  from  that  which  being  doubt- 
ful,  is  obliged  to  be  fuppdrted  by  coercive  laws.  This 
mufi  raife  general  fufpicion^  and  confequently  bring  on  a 
ftagnation  of  commerce,  from  univerfal  and  mutual  dif- 
truil.     For  the  fame  reafon  it  mult  annihiliate  credit,  and 

jiot  the  other.  Make  as  iwich  money  as  you  pleafe,  this  \\\\\ 
not  make  foreig-n  nations  call  for  aiiy  more  of  your  p;rain,  liHi 
lumber,  tobacco,  rice,  Sec.  hut  it  will  juft  as  certainly  mako 
*  them  cofl:  you  more  before  you  can  brin;^  them  to  the  mi^rket. 
as  adding  two  to  three  will  make  ftve. 

\ou  iV.  G  g 


23 4  Essay  on  MoHef, 

make  every  cautious  perfon  lock  up  his  real  money,  that 
is,  gold  and  filver,  as  he  cannot  tell  but  he  may  be  cheated 
in  tlie  re-payment.  This  evil  is  very  extenfive  indeed,  for 
it  makes  people  fufpicious,  not  only  of  what  is,  but  what 
may  be.  Though  the  injury  fliould  be  but  partial,  or  in- 
confiderable  at  prelent,  it  may  become  wholly  ruinous  by 
fome  unknown  future  law. 

Hence  it  may  be  feen,  that  the  refolution  of  the  quef- 
tion,  whether  it  is  proper  to  have  paper  money  at  all  or 
not,  depends  entirely  upon  another,  viz.  whether  the  evil 
that  is  done  by  augmenting  the  circulating  medium,  is  or 
is  not  over-balanced  by  the  facility  given  to  commerce,  and 
the  credit  given  to  particuhir  perfons,  by  which  their  in- 
dudry  and  exertions  are  added  to  the  common  flock.  As 
it  is  upon  this  that  the  queflion  depends,  we  fhall  find, 
that  as  the  circumltances  of  a  nation  may  be  different,  it 
may  be  for  or  againlt  its  intereit  to  ufe  a  paper  medium. 
If  any  nation  were  in  fuch  circumJlances  as  that  credit 
were  either  not  necCxTdry  or  eafily  obtained  ;  if  the  coun- 
try were  fully  fettled  and  the  inhabitants  fully  employed 
in  agriculture,  manufadtures,  and  internal  commerce, 
with  little  foreign  trade,  any  addition  to  the  true  m.oney, 
would  be  unnecefTary  or  pernicious.  This  is  probably 
the  flate  of  China  at  prefent,  perhaps  in  fome  degree  alfo 
of  France.  On  the  contrary,  if  a  nation  had  an  extenfive 
and  complicated  commerce,  and  much  land  to  fettle  and 
improve,  the  facilitating  of  commerce^  and  extending  of 
credit,  nnght  be  highly  beneficial.  I  do  not  pretend  to  fo 
exad  a  knowledge  of  tlie  (late  of  this  country,  or  the  diffe- 
rent parts  of  it,  as  to  judge  with  abfolute  certainty  of  v>^hat 
is  neceifary  or  would  be  ufeful  to  it,  but  am  inclined  to 
think  that  there  uiull  be  fomething  in  the  fiate  of  things  in 
America  that  makes  it  either  more  neceflary  or  more  ex- 
pedient to  have  paper  here  than  in  the  European  Hates. 
We  are  affured  that  in  former  times  many  of  the  flates, 
then  colonies,  thought  it  a  privilege  to  be  allowed  to  flrike 
paper  money  ;  and  we  are  told  by  perfons  of  good  under- 
llanding,  that  it  contributed  to  their  growth  and  improve- 
ment. If  this  was  the  cafe,  I  am  confident  it  was  chiefly 
becaufe  it  was  emitted  in  the  way  of  a  loan-office,  and  by 


Essay  on  Money,  235 

giving  credit  to  hufl^andmen,  accelerated  the  fettlement 
and  improvement  of  the  foih  This  quedion  I  do  not 
take  upon  me  to  decide,  and  therefore  in  what  follows, 
defire  I  may  be  confidered  as  fpeaking  only  hypothetical- 
ly,  the  rather,  that  at  prefcnt  the  inclination  after  paper  of 
fome  kind  or  another  feems  to  be  fo  flrong,  that  it  would 
be  in  vain  to  vvithfland  it. 

If  therefore  paper  is  to  be  employed  in  circulation,  we 
may  fee  from  what  has  been  faid  above,  what  are  the  prin- 
ciples on  which  it  ought  to  be  conducted,  the  ends  that 
ought  to  be  aimed  at,  and  the  evils  that  ought  to  be  avoid- 
ed. The  ends  to  be  aimed  at  are,  the  facilitating  of  com- 
mercial tranfadlions,  and  extending  of  credit  to  thofe  who 
are  likely  to  make  a  proper  ufe  of  it.  The  plan  fliould 
be  fo  conceived,  as  that  the  increafe  of  the  circulating 
medium  (hould  be  as  little  as  pofTible,  confidently  with 
thcfe  ends.  It  fliould  be  perfectly  fecure,  fo  as  to  create 
an  abfolute  confidence.  And  as  it  is  of  the  nature  of  an 
obligation,  no  force  whatever  fiiould  be  ufed,  but  the  re- 
ception of  it  left  entirely  to  the  inclination  and  intered  of 
the  receiver.  It  may  be  fafely  affirmed,  that  any  devia- 
tion from  thefe  principles,  which  are  deduced  from  the 
theory  above  laid  down,  will  be  an  effential  defe(ft  in  the 
fydem.  If  we  inquire  what  fort  of  paper  will  bed  anfvver 
this  defcription,  we  find  that  there  is  no  other  fort  ufed  in 
Europe  than  that  of  banking  companies.  The  govern- 
ment damping  paper  to  pafs  current  for  coin  is  unknown 
there.  Notwithdanding  the  immenfe  fums  which  have 
been  borrowed  by  the  Englifli  government,  they  always 
prefer  paying  intered  for  them,  to  ifiuing  paper  without 
value  for  money.  The  only  thing  refembling  it  in  the 
Englifli  hidory  is,  James  the  fecond  coining  bafe  metal, 
and  affixing  a  price  to  it  by  proclamation  ;  a  projedl  con- 
temptible in  the  contrivance,  and  abortive  in  the  execu- 
tion. This  feems  to  be  a  confiderable  prefumption,  that 
the  meafure  is  upon  the  v/hole  not  eligible.* 

*  It  feems  to  mc,  that  thofc  who  cry  out  for  emitting  paper 
money  by  the  legiQatiires,  fhoukl  take  fome  pains  to  ftate 
clearly  the  difference  between  this  and  the  European  countries, 
and  poiftt   out  the  reaxons  wliy    it  >vould  be  ferviccablc  here> 


^3^  Essay  on  Money, 

The  paper  of  banking  companies  has  many  advantages. 
It  is  confidered  as  perfe6tly  fafe,  becaufe  it  can  be  ex^ 
changed  for  gold  and  filver  at  any  time  upon  demand* 
Having  this  fecurity  at  bottom,  it  is  perfedly  convenient 
fpr  tranfportation,  which  indeed  is  common  to  it  with  all 
paper.  In  addition  to  this,  it  is  confidered  as  the  princi- 
pal bufmefs  of  all  banks  to  give  credit,  which,  though  dt- 
i^e£lly  only  in  favor  of  commercial,  is  ultimately  ufeful 
to  rnany  different  clafles  of  men.  I  may  upon  this  ob- 
serve, that  it  is  the  duty  of  banking  companies  fo  to  con- 
tlu6l  their  operations  as  to  extend  their  regular  credit  as 
far  as  is  fafe  for  themfelves.  If  inflead  of  this,  as  has  been 
fuppofed  at  leaft  to  have  been  done  by  fome  banks  in  Bri- 
tain, they  circulate  their  notes  by  agents,  making  pur- 
chafes  in  different  anddiftant  places,  that  the  fum  iffued 
Inay  very  far  exceed  the  fum  necelfary  to  be  kept  for 
probable  demand^  ;  they  are  in  that  cafe  not  ferving  the 
public  at  all,  but  ufmg  the  money  of  other  people  to  their 
own  profit.  It  is  alfo  to  be  obferved,  that  the  denomina- 
tion of  their  notes  fhould  never  be  very  fmall,  it  lliould 
indeed  be  as  high  as  is  cqnfiflent  with  fuch  a  general  ufe 
as  will  bring  in  a  fufficient  profit.  Very  fmall  denomi- 
nations of  paper  do  the  greatefl  injury  by  entering  into 
univerfal  circulation,  and  chiefly  affeding  the  induilrious 
part  pfthecomnmnity.  It  wa?  a  very  great  complaint 
againll:  fome  banks  in  Scotland,  what  they  brought  down 
the  denominations  of  their  notes  as  far  as  ten  Ihillings, 
and  fome  of  them  even  five  (hillings.  If  this  was  an  evil, 
"\vhat  fhall  we  fay  of  paper,  as  has  been  feen  in  this  coun- 
try, as  low  as  one  (hilling,  fix  penqe,  or  even  three  pence 
value  ?  It  is  a  rule  that  will  hardly  admit  of  any  excep- 
tion, that  the  higher  the  denominations  of  paper  bills,  the 
greater  the  benefit  and  the  lefd  the  evil ;  and  on  the  con- 
trary, the  fmaller  the  denominations,  the  greater  the  evil 
^nd  the  lefs  th^  benefit.  High  fums  in  paper  objigations 
iTiay  perhaps  change  hands  once  a  week,  but  a  ihilling  or 
fix-penny  ticket  n;ay  be  in, fifty  hands  in  one  day. 

and-burtful  there  ;  or  elfe  infill  that  it  would  be  o  wife  mea- 
iure  every  where,  and  recommend  the  ufe  of  it  to  the  ftates  of 
England,  France,  Holland,  £<c.  who  will  be  much  indebted  to, 
^hem  for  the  difcove  ry. 


Essay  on  Money.  237 

I  mud  mention  here  what  has  been  often  objedled 
againfl  banks  in  America,  which,  if  jull,  would,  from 
the  reafoning  in  the  preceding  part  of  this  difcourfe,  tend 
to  their  condemnation.  It  is,  that  they  have  dellroyed 
credit  inftead  of  extending  it,  and  have  introduced  or 
gi^^en  occafion  to  exceflive  ufury.  I  am  not  fufEciently 
informed  to  fay  how  far  this  is  really  the  cafe,  but  cannot 
help  obferving,  that  treating  the  matter  theoretically,  as  I 
have  all  along  done,  and  confiderins:  the  nature  of  the 
thing,  this  does  not  appear  to  be  a  neceflary  confequence. 
One  would  rather  think  that  the  regular  credit  which  is 
or  ought  to  be  given  by  banks  fhould  prevent  ufury,  by 
fupplying  all  thofe  who  deferve  to  be  trufted.  Agreeably 
to  this  it  was  found  in  fadl,  that  the  inftitution  of  banks 
in  Scotland  lowered  the  intereft  of  money,  which  indeed 
feems  to  be  the  natural  efFedl  of  every  fuch  inftitution, 
from  the  increafed  circulation.  But  if  any  inftances  more 
than  before  have  happened  of  this  kind,  it  may  be  by  per- 
fons  in  extreme  ncceflity  applying  to  others  who  have 
credit  with  the  bank,  and  who  have  fo  little  confcientious 
fcruple  as  to  take  advantage  of  their  neighbor's  poverty. 
If  this  is  the  cafe,  it  is  only  a  particular  abufe,  or  occa- 
fional  bad  confequence  of  a  thing  otherwife  good  and  ufe- 
ful.  It  is  not  a  juft  objeition  againft  any  thing,  that  it 
may  be  or  has  been  in  fome  inftances  abufed.  Befides, 
as  it  is  the  duty  of  every  banking  company  to  guard 
againft  this  evil  as  much  as  poffible,  even  by  perfonal  re- 
fentment,  againft  thofe  who  make  this  ufe  of  their  confi- 
dence, fo  it  is  an  evil  not  out  of  the  reach  of  legal  punifh- 
ment  or  general  infamy.  Wife  and  well  executed  laws 
againft  ufury,  would  at  leaft  fo  far  reftrain  it,  as  to  make 
it  an  evil  of  little  confequence. 

But  in  examining  the  nature  and  operation  of  different; 
kinds  of  pape<T  I  muft  confider  an  objection  of  much 
greater  importance,  upon  the  principles  of  this  difcourfe, 
againft  the  paper  of  banks,  or  at  leaft,  a  defe6l  in  their  fyf- 
tem,  that  feems  to  call  for  other  meafures  in  addition  to  it. 
This  is,  that  banking  companies  give  credit  only  fo  as  to 
be  ferviceable  to  merchants,  and  thofe  immediately  con- 
jiefted  with  them,  but  do  not  extend  it  to  hufbandmen,  or 


338  Essay  on  Money. 

thofe  whvO  improve  the  foil,  by  taking  mortgages  for  a  con* 
iiderable  time ;  yet  according  to  the  theory  above  laid 
down,  this  is  not  only  one  of  the  advantages,  but  perhaps 
the  chiet  advantage  to  be  derived  from  a  paper  circulation 
of  any  kind.  Now,  I  admit,  that  the  fettlement  and  cul- 
tivation of  the  foil  is  the  radical  fource  of  the  profperity 
of  this  country.  It  is  indeed  the  fource  of  the  profperity 
of  eveiy  country,  but  comparatively  more  fo  of  that  of 
this  country  than  moft  others.  I  alfo  admit  that  credit, 
properly  extended,  to  indullrious  perfons  in  this  way 
would  lie  exceedingly  beneficial.  For  this  reafon,  and  for 
this  alone,  Dr.  Franklin  and  others  perhaps  judged  right 
when  they  faid,  the  country  received  great  benefit  from 
the  loan  oiHce  paper  of  form.er  times.  lam  alfo  fenfible, 
that  it  is  not  practicable  nor  proper  for  banking  compa- 
nies to  give  credit  upon  mortgages  on  diftant  lands.  They 
being  bound  to  prompt  payment,  muft  expecl  the  fame  ; 
therefore  they  are  not  to  be  blamed  for  refufnig  it  in  this 
form*.  For  all  thefe  reafon s,  I  do  not  take  upon  me 
wholly  to  condemn  a  meafure  in  America,  which  would 
be  unnecefFary  or  improper  in  Europe.  We  hear  from 
every  quarter,  that  is  to  fay,  from  almofi:  every  flate,  a 
loud  cry  for  paper  money.  Now  when  there  is  a  great 
and  univerfal  complaint,  it  is  feldom.  without  fome  foun- 
dation ;  and  though  I  have  taken  much  pains  in  the  pre- 
(ceding  difcourfeto  fhow  that  they  miflake  their  own  wants, 
that  they  do  not  want  a  circulating  medium,  but  ufe  that 
phrafe  without  underftanding  its  meaning;  yet  they  cer- 
tainly do  want  fomething.  They  v/ant  particular  cre^ 
d'lt ;  and  they  look  back  with  defire  to  the  former  times 
when  they  had  paper  money,  which,  by  its  name  itfelf, 
pointed  out  its  nature  and  ufe,  the  notes  being  then  call- 
ed bills  of  credit.  I  will  therefore  proceed,  keeping  a 
fteady  eye  upon  the  principles  above  laid  down,  to  flate 

*  I  mvifl  here  obferve,  that  the  banks  of  Scotland  never  gave 
credit  upon  mortgages,  but  perfonal  fecurity  only,  and  yet  they 
vere  univerfally  fuppofed  to  put  it  in  the  power  of  landed 
men  to  improve  their  eflates  ;  fo  that  the  money  tranfa6lions 
muft  have  been,though  not  dirc6l])^,yet  remotely  in  their  favor. 


£ssay  en  Money.  239 

in  what  manner  a  loan-ofEce  may  be  eftabllflied*  with- 
in mockrate  bounds,  that  (liall  render  a  fervice  probably- 
greater  than  the  evils  necelFarily  confequent  upon  it. 

1  would  therefore  propole,  that  any  Hate  that  thinks  it 
neceflary,  ihould  emit  a  fum  cf  iuppofe  one  hundred  thou- 
land  pounds,  and  that  the  following  rules  fhould  be  laid 
down  in  the  law,  and  invariably  adhered  to.  (i.)  That 
not  a  fliilling  of  that  money  fhould  ilFue  from  the  loan- 
office  treafury,  but  upon  mortgage  of  land  to  the  amount 
of  double  the  fum  in  value.  (2.)  That  it  fhould  not  be  a 
legal  tender  for  any  debts  contradled  or  to  be  contracted, 
but  receivable  in  all  taxes  within  the  (late,  and  payable 
for  the  wages  of  Council  and  AfTembly,  and  the  fees  and 
perquifites  of  all  public  officers,  after  it  has  been  (b  re- 
ceived, (3.)  That  at  the  end  of  twelve  calender  months, 
a  fum  precifely  equal  to  the  intereft  that  had  accrued  or 
become  due  in  that  time,  fliould  be  confumed  by  fire,  ancj 
public  intimation  given  of  its  being  done.  The  fame 
thing  fhould  be  done  every  fubfequent  year.  (4.)  That 
at  no  time  any  part  of  this  money  Ihould  be  made  ufe  of 
in  thepaymeni  of  the  public  debts,  but  that  which  had 
been  firfl  levied  in  taxes.  It  would  not  be  proper  even 
to  borrow  from  the  Hock  for  this  purpofe  by  anticipationf. 

If  thefe  rules  were,  obferved,  credit   would  be  given  to 

*  I  am  not  ignorant  that  there  has  been  in  one  of  our  flates, 
I  mean  Penniylvania,  a  violent  controverfy  for  and  againft  the 
bank,  between  tlie  political  fa6\ions  which  divide  that  flate. 
On  this  account,  I  am  forry  I  was  obliged  to  mention  «)anks  at 
all  ;  but  it  was  impoffible  for  me  to  do  jullicc  to  the  fubje6l, 
v.ithout  coniiderini^'  their  general  nature  and  efie6ls  ;  and  I 
will  not  fo  much  as  name  any  of  the  arguments  on  cither  iide 
of  this  queilion,  but  what  is  neceffarily  connec?Led  with  money 
in  ojeneral  ar>  a  currency,  and  its  effe6^t3  upon  the  national  in- 
icrdl. 

t  The  payiniy  of  the  public  creditors  is  one  of  the  moll  com- 
mon and  popular  arguments  for  paper  emiflions,  but  to  par 
them  with  money  not  loaned,  is  not  paying,  hut  continuim^ 
the  debt  upon  the  flatc,  and  only  make  it  chanj^'e  hands.  All 
inch  bills  fo  paid  muil  be  accounted  for  by  the  public.  It  ].•> 
better,  therefore,  that  by  the  loans  men  may  be  enabled  caHly 
tp  pay  their  taxes  ;  and  then  let  the  public  creditors  be  paid 
by  iiK)ney  d;jmanded  equally  from  the  whole  for  that  purpofe. 


24©  Mssay  on  Monefi 

fome  perforis,  who  needed  and  deferved  it»  to  the  amount 
of  the  whole  fum.  The  bills  current  would  be  dimU 
nifhed  in  quantity  every  year  fo  as  not  to  load  the  circu^ 
lation,  which  would  have  a  fenfible  cffedl  upon  the  pub- 
lic opinion,  and  indeed,  from  the  nature  of  the  things 
would  increafe  their  value,  or  rather  confirm  it  from  yeai^ 
to  year*.  At  the  end  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  they 
would  be  wholly  taken  out  of  circulation^  and  that  not 
by  any  tax  laid  on  for  the  purpofe,  but  by  the  hire  or  ufe 
of  the  money  itfelf,  an:l  after  all,  the  principal  fum  would 
be  ftill  due  to  the  llate  in  good  money,  which  might  bear 
interell  for  even  It  would  be  an  important  addition  to 
this  fcheme,  if  no  bills  lefs  than  tv/o  dollars,  or  perhaps 
three,  or  five,  fliould  be  emitted,  as  this  would  lUll  keep 
jilver  at  leaft  in  circulation.  On  the  above  principles, 
all  the  good  that  can  be  produced  by  paper  would  be  ef* 
feded,  viz.  facilitating  commerce,  and  giving  credit; 
and  as  little  of  the  evil  as  polFible,  becaufe  the  quan* 
tity  would  be  fixed  and  moderate  at  firft,  and  continually 
^creafing,  fo  as  at  iall  to  vanilh  altogether;  and  then 
another  emiifion  of  the  fcime  kind  might  be  made,  if  the 
utility  of  the  lirll  fliould  recommend  it. 

Perhaps  it  will  be  faid,  that  this  money  not  being  a 
legal  tender,  would  not  anfwer  the  purpofe  of  borrowers 
by  paying  their  debts,  nor  get  at  all  into  circulation.  To 
this  I  anfwer,  that  it  would  not  anfwer  the  purpofe  of 
thofe  who  want  to  pay  their  debts  with  half  nothing,  and 
cheat  their  creditors;  nor  do  I  wifh  to  fee  any  thing 
attempted  that  would  produce  that  effciSl.  But  1  affirm, 
that  it  would  get  better  into  circulation  than  by  a  ten- 
der law,  which  creates  general  and  jult  fufpicion.  Ten- 
der laws,  as  has  been  already  proved,  may  be  made  ufe 

*  I  cannot  help  obfervh-Jg  here,  that  the  titles  of  mod  di 
the  atls  tor  emlttinij  money,  do  unawai'G&  cortfefs  the  jiiilice 
of  all  that  has  been  faid  above  ;  they  run  thus,  ^'  Arl  aa  for 
emitting  — *-^  thou  fan  d  pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  and  diretling; 
the  manner  of  sinking  the  same,''  Does  not  thi^  fliow  what 
fort  of  a  circulating  medium  they  are  ?  Does  it  not  admits 
that  they  will  do  evil  if  they  continue  to  circulate  ?  Wheu  yovi 
cgln  e-old  ftnd  filvep,  do  you  provide  for  fmkingit  ? 


Essay  on  Money,  241 

of  by  deceitful  perfons  to  do  particular  a£ls  of  Injuf. 
tice,  but  are  not  fufficient  to  procure  general  circulation, 
tior  to  excite  and  reward  induflry,  without  the  opinion 
and  approbation  of  the  public.  Such  money  as  I  have  de- 
fcribed  would  excite  no  alarm,  it  might  eafily  be  tried. 
It  would,  in  my  opinion,  certainly  be  tried,  for  all  would 
know  that  it  would  pay  every  tax  to  government,  and 
even  borrovvers  of  large  fums  might  make  trial  of  it, 
without  any  rifle  at  all,  becaufe,  if  it  would  not  anfwer 
their  end,  they  might,  after  a  few  months,  repay  it,  and 
take  up  their  mortgage.  But  I  cannot  help  thinking  that 
the  principles  of  it  are  fo  jufl,  and  the  plan  {o  certain,  that 
all  underllanding  perfons  would  perceive  and  approve  it. 

I  mult  here  take  the  occalion  and  the  liberty  of  faying, 
that  it  were  greatly  to  be  wilhed  that  thofe  who  have  in 
their  hands  the  adminiltration  of  affairs  in  the  fcveral 
Hates  of  America,  w^ould  take  no  meafures,  either  on 
this,  or  any  other  fubjeft,  but  what  are  founded  upon  juf- 
tice,  fupported  by  reafon,  and  warranted  to  be  fafe  by 
the  experience  of  former  ages,  and  of  other  countries. 
The  operation  of  political  caules  is  as  uniform  and  certain 
as  that  of  natural  caufes.  And  any  meafure  which  ia 
itfelf  has  a  bad  tendency,  though  its  effedls  may  not  be 
inftantly  difcernable,  and  their  progrefs  may  be  but  flow, 
yet  it  will  be  infallible  ;  and  perhaps  the  danger  will 
then  only  appear  when  a  remedy  is  inpoffihle.  This  is 
the  cafe.  In  fome  degree,  with  all  political  meafures, 
without  exception,  yet  I  am  miilaken  if  it  is  not  eminent- 
ly  fo  with  refpe£l  to  commercial  deali'i^rs.  Commerce  is 
excited,  diredled,  and  carried  on  by  interefl.  But  do 
not  miftake  this,  it  is  not  carried  on  by  general  univerfal 
interefl:,  nor  even  by  well  informed  national  interefl,  but 
by  immediate,  apparent,  and  fenfible  perfonal  interefl. 
I  mufl  alfo  obferve^  that  there  is  in  mankind  a  fliarp- 
llghtednefs  upon   this  fubje£l  that    is  quite   afloni/hing. 

All  men  are  not  philofophers,  but  they  are  generally 
good  judges  of  their  own  profit  in  what  is  immediately 
before  them,  and  will  uniformly  adhere  to  it.  It  is  not 
uncommon  to  fee  a  man  v/ho  appears  to  be  almofl  as 

Vol.  IV.  Hh 


242  Essay  on  Money, 

flupid  as  a  ftone,  and  yet  he  fliall  be  as  adroit  and  dex- 
trous in  making  a  bargain,  or  even  more  fo,  than  a  man 
of  the  firft  rate  underdanding,  who,  probably,  for  that  ve- 
ry reafon,  is  lefs  attentive  to  trifling  circumftances,  and 
^th  under  the  government  of  mean  and  felfifli  views.  As 
to  currency,  which  has  been  our  general  fubjedl,  if  coins 
of  any  particular  fpecies  happen,  as  is  fometimes  the 
cafe,  to  pafs  at  a  rate,  ever  fo  little  higher,  in  one  coun- 
try, or  corner  of  a  country  than  another,  thither  they  will 
immediately  dired  their  courfe  ;  and  if  the  matter  is  not 
attended  to,  nor  the  miftake  reclihed,  they  will  be  all 
there  in  a  very  fliort  time,  and  the  place  which  receives 
them  mull;  bear  the  lofs. 

I  will  now  fum  up,  in  fingle  propofitions,  the  fubftance 
of  what  has  been  afitrted,  and  I  hope  fufficiently  proved, 
in  the  preceding  difcourfe. 

(i.)  It  ought  not  to  be  imputed  to  accident  or  caprice, 
that  gold,  filver,  and  copper,  formerly  were,  and  the 
two  firll  continue  to  be,  the  medium  of  commerce  ;  but 
to  their  inherent  value,  joined  with  other  properties,  that 
fit  them  for  circulation.  Therefore,  all  the  jpeculations, 
formed  upon  a  contrary  fuppofition,  are  inconclufive  and 
abfurd. 

(2.)  Gold  and  filver  are  far  from  being  in  too  fmall 
quantity  at  prefent  for  the  purpofe  of  a  circulating  me-' 
dium,  in  the  commercial  nations.      The  laft  of  them, 
viz.  filver,  feems  rather  to  be  in  too  great  quantity,  fo  as 
to  become  inconvenient  for  tranfportation. 

(3.)  the  people  of  every  nation  will  get  the  quantity  of 
thefe  precious  metals,  that  they  are  entitled  to  by  their 
induRry,  and  no  more.  If  by  any  accident,  as  plunder 
in  war,  or  borrowing  from  other  nations,  or  even  finding 
it  in  mines,  they  ^tt  m.ore,  they  will  not  be  able  to  keep 
it.  It  will  in  a  fliort  time,  find  its  level.  Laws  againll 
exporting  the  coin  will  not  prevent  this.  Laws  of  this 
kind,  though  they  are  ilill  in  force  in  fome  nations,  fuppo- 
fed  to  be  wife,  yet  are  in  themfelves  ridiculous.  If  you 
import  more  than  you  export,  you  mud  pay  the  balance, 
or  give  up  the  trade. 


Essay  on  Money,  243 

(4.)  The  quantity  of  gold  and  filver  at  any  time  in  a 
nation,  is  no  evidence  of  national  wealth,  unleis  you  take 
into  confideration  the  way  in  which  it  came  there,  and 
the  probability  of  its  continuing. 

(5.)  No  paper  of  any  kind  is,  properly  fpeaking,  mo- 
ney. It  ought  never  to  be  made  a  legal  tender.  It  ought 
not  to  be  forced  upon  any  body,  becaufe  it  cannot  be  for- 
ced upon  every  body. 

(6.)  Gold  and  fdver,  fairly  acquired,  and  likely  to  con- 
tinue, are  real  national,  as  well  as  perfonal  wealth.  If 
twice  as  much  paper  circulates  with  them,  though  in  full 
credit,  particular  perfons  may  be  rich  by  poffefiing  it,  but 
the  nation  in  general  is  not. 

(7.)  The  cry  of  the  fcarcity  of  money,  is  generally 
putting  the  efFe6l  for  the  caufe.  No  bufmefs  can  be  done, 
lay  fome,  becaufe  money  is  fcarce.  It  may  be  faid  with 
more  truth,  money  is  fcarce,  becaufe  little  bufmefs  is  done. 
Yet  their  influence,  like  that  of  many  other  caufes,  and 
^efFetls,  is  reciprocal. 

(8.)  Tile  quantity  of  current  money,  of  whatever  kind, 
will  have  an  efFedl  in  raifmg  the  price  of  induftry,  and 
bringing  goods  dearer  to  market,  therefore  the  increafe  of 
the  currency  in  any  nation,  by  paper,  which  will  not  pafs 
among  other  nations,  makes  the  firil  coft  of  every  thing 
they  do  greater,  and  of  confequence,  the  profit  lefs. 

(9.)  It  is  however  poffible,  that  paper  obligations  may 
fo  far  facilitate  commerce,  and  extend  credit,  as  by  the 
additional  induftry,  that  they  excite,  to  over- balance  the 
injury  which  they  do  in  other  refpedls.  Yet  even  the 
good  itfelf  may  be  over-done.  Too  much  money  may  be 
emitted  even  upon  loan,  but  to  emit  money  any  other 
way,  than  upon  loan,  is  to  do  all  evil  and  no  good. 

(10.)  The  excefllve  quantity  of  paper  emitted  by  the 
different  flates  of  America,  will  probably  be  a  lofs  to  the 
whole.  They  cannot  however  take  advantage  of  one 
another  in  that  way.  That  ilate  which  emits  moll  will 
lofe  mod,  and  vice  versa, 

(11.)  I  can  fee  no  way  in  which  it  can  do  good  but 
one,  which  is  to  deter  other  nations  from  trufting  us,  and 
thereby  leffen  our  importations  ;  and  I  fmccrely  wiih,  that 


'5t44  Essay  on  Money, 

in  that  way,  it  may  prove  in  fome  degree  a  remedy  for  itj 
own  evils. 

(i2.)  Thofe  who  refufe  doubtful  paper,  and  thereby 
difgrace  it,  or  prevent  its  circulation,  are  not  enemies, 
but  friends  to  their  country. 

To  draw  to  a  conclufion,  it  is  probable  that  tjhofe  who 
perceive,  which  it  will  be  eafy  to  do,  that  the  author  of 
this  tradl  is  not  a  merchant  or  trader,  by  profeffion,  will 
be  ready  to  fay,  what  has  this  gentleman  to  do  with  fuch  a 
fubjt<5t  ?  Why  fhould  he  write  upon  what  he  has  no  prac- 
tical knowledge  of,  money  and  commerce  ?  To  thefe  I 
anfwer,  that  I  have  written,  not  as  a  merchant,  but  as  a 
fcholar.  I  profefs  to  derive  my  opinions  from  the  bell 
civilians  of  this  and  the  lad  age,  and  from  the  hiftory  of 
all  ages,  joined  with  a  pretty  confiderable  experience  and 
attention  to  the  effedls  of  political  caufes,  within  the  fphere 
of  my  own  obfervation.  It  is  not  even  too  much  to  fay, 
that  one  of  the  mercantile  profeffion,  unlefs  his  views 
were  very  enlarged  indeed,  is  not  fo  proper  to  handle  a 
general  fubject  of  this  kind  as  fome  others.  His  atten- 
tion is  ufually  confined  to  the  bufinefsj  and  to  the  branch 
of  that  bufinefs  in  which  he  is  employed.  In  that  his 
difcernment  will  be  clear,  and  he  will  find  out,  if  polTible, 
where  he  can  buy  cheapell,  and  fell  dearefl.  But  as  to  the 
theory  of  commerce,  or  the  great  objects  of  national  in- 
tereft  orconnexinn,  he  can  have  no  advantage  at  all  over 
a  perfon  given  to  ftudy  and  reflexion,  who  has  fome  ac- 
quaintance with  public  life.  With  thefe  remarks,  by 
way  of  apology,  and  having  no  interellin  the  matter  but 
vi^hat  is  common  to  every  citizen,  I  freely  commit  the 
whole  to  the  judgment  of  the  impartial  public. 


C     245     ] 


^ 


SPEECH 


IN   THE 


Synod  of  Glasgow, 


IVhcn  I  was  accused  of  being  the  Author  of  the  Ecclesu 
astkal  Characteristics, 


Moderator, 

IT  cannot  but  give  me  feme  pain  to  think  upon  my  be- 
ing obliged  to  Hand  at  your  bar,  in  fbme  fort  as  a 
pannel  or  accufed  perfon.  At  the  fame  time,  this  is 
greatly  alleviated,  by  the  confideration  that  I  am  now  call- 
ed to  a  regular  defence  of  my  charader,  which  has  been 
long  abufed  in  the  mod  virulent  manner,  when  I  had  no 
opportunity  of  fpeaking  for  myfelf.  But  Sir,  before  com- 
ing to  the  particular  obje6lion  which  has  been  pleaded  be- 
fore you,  it  is  neceflary  that  I  ihould  endeavor  to  remove 
the  great  odium  that  has  been,  by  fome  in  the  world,  in- 
duftrioufly  thrown  upon  me.  Thofe  gentlemen  at  the 
bar,  by  whom  I  am  now  conllrained  to  this  apology,  per- 
haps know  who  it  was  that  taught  certain  perfons  who 
knew  nothing  of  me,  to  reprefent  me  as  a  firebrand,  as 
violent  and  contentious,  unfit  to  be  a  member  of  any 
quiet  fociety.  This  is  a  charader.  Sir,  which  I  am  mcft 
unwilling  to  bear,  and  which,  if  1  am  not  greatly  nuiiaken> 


34^  Defence  in  the 

is  nioR  unjuftly  imputed  to  me,  from  any  paflpartof  my 
condudi.  I  call  upon  all  thofe  with  whom  i  have  lived 
many  years  in  Prefbytery,  to  fay  if  they  will  lay  this  to 
my  charge.  The  apofllc  James  tells  us,  that  "  if  any 
*'  man  OiFend  not  in  word,  the  fame  is  a  perfect  man." — 
Perfedlion  I  do  not  plead ;  but  any  comparative  guilt  in 
this  refped,  I  do  abfolutely  refufe.  I  call  particularly  up- 
on my  neared  neighbor,  a  minifter  andco-prefbyter,  who 
ought  furely  to  be  an  unfufpe6led  witnefs,  becaufe  we  have 
hardly  ever  agreed  in  any  principle  of  church  govern- 
ment ;  yet  there  hath  not  been  the  leail  jealoufy  or  dry- 
riefs  between  us  as  men,  nor  even  as  Chrillians  or  minif- 
ters ;  and  yet  difference  in  opinion  has  often  caufed  fuch 
things  between  very  good  men.  I  have  alfo,  Sir,  been 
many  times  a  member  of  this  Synod,  fometimes  when 
debates  were  pretty  high,  and  may  fafely  afErm,  that  I 
have  been  as  far  from  indifcretion  and  violence  as  any  of 
thofe  who  accufe  me.  I  was  none  of  thofe,  in  April 
1753,  v/ho,  in  the  committee  of  overtures,  fpun  out  the 
time  purpofely  with  long  fpeeches  till  the  f)  nod's  hour 
was  come,  and  then  would  not  fufter  the  committee  to 
come  to  any  decifion;  but  unlefs  the  fynod  were  imme- 
diately conftituted,  threatened,  with  apparent  pallion  and 
fury,  to  withdraw^  and  conftitute  a  feparate  fynod  altoge- 
ther. Probably  Mr.  P ,  and  Mr.  M ,  may  be  able 

to  inform  you  who  the  perfons  were  ;  and  I  alfure  you 
from  my  own  knov^^ledge,  that  fuch  condudt  in  clergymen 
v/as  very  allonifliing  and  ofFenfive  to  fome  of  the  laity,  I 
have  been  told  that  at  the  admiffionof  the  Rev.  Mr.  Baine, 
in  Paifley,  the  perfcn  vi^ho  admitted  him,  among  other  ad- 
vices, told  him  to  beware  of  a  party  fpirit ;  and  in  this,  ano- 
ther member  faid  he  fpoke  the  fenfe  of  the  whole  prefbyte- 
ry. I  am  convinced  there  are  fome  perfons  who  by  a  par- 
ty fpirit  mean  a  perfon  having  different  principles  from 
themfelves,  and  that  no  meeknefs  of  temper,  no  purity  of 
character,  no  humanity  in  his  carriage,  will  in  that  cafe, 
favean  opponent  from  fuch  an  imputation.  And  if  by  a 
party  fpirit  be  underfiood  a  regard  to  the  perfon  as  much  as 
the  caufe,  and  profecuting  their  own  purpofes  in  a  violent 
and  illegal  manner,  without  candor  or  charity  to  thofe  who 


Synod  of  Glasgow.  247 

differ  from  them,  I  know  none  who  have  a  jufter  title  to 
the  character  than  fbme  members  of  that  reverend  body. 
Several  inflances  might  be  given  in  their  paft  condiiO:  to 
juftify  this  oblervation  ;  fome  oF  which  perhaps  I  ihall 
afterwards  mention  ;  the  rell  are  well  enough  known, 
and  indeed,  it  feems  to  be  generally  agreed  by  the  world 
about  them,  that  they  are  not  over  patient  of  mixture,. 

This,  Sir,  very  plainly  appears  iVoni  the  cafe  now  be- 
fore you.  This  prelbytery  have  refufed  leave  to  grant  evea 
a  call  to  me,  upon  a  prefentation  and  unanimous  appli- 
cation from  all  concerned  ;  and  ailign  this  reafon  for  it, 
that  there  is  a  report  of  my  being  author  of  a  book  which 
they  fay  in  their  minutes  is  of  a  very  bad  tendency  to 
the  interefts  of  religion,  and  injurious  to  the  characters  of 
many  minifters  of  this  church,  and  therefore  they  appoint- 
ed a  committee,  6cc.  The  injury  done  to  the  town  of  Paif- 
ley,  it  is  the  bufmefs  of  the  congregation  to  complain  of, 
and  they  have  done  it,  and  wait  for  redrefs  fvcm  you. 
The  injury  done  to  me,  I  beg  leave,  in  a  few  v/ords,  to 
reprefcnt  to  this  veneral^ls  Synod. — And  here,  Sir,  I  do 
not  complahi  of  their  taking  into  confideration  any  book 
that  they  fnall  be  pleafed  to  think  contrary  to  the  interells 
of  Religion,  and  fliould  have  been  well  fatisfied  to  hear  of 
a  motion  for  cenfuring  irreligious  books  come  from  that 
quarter. — I  wifli  if  ever  it  come  from  any  quarter  they 
may  faithfully  infpedt  it.  But  fir,  I  complain  that  they 
have  joined  my  name  to  a  certain  book  with  which  they 
are  not  pleafed,  and  then  have  pafied  a  fentence  condem- 
ning it,  when  I  was  not  and  could  not  re;]jularly  be  before 
them.  This  is  a  cafe  that  may  have  important  confequen- 
ces.  AH  I  defire  is  equity  and  juftice,  and  that  furely  I 
have  a  rip^ht  to  claim.  The  prefbytery  of  Paifley,  Sir,  had 
a  riorht  to  accufe  me  if  they  pleafed  before  the  prefbytery 
of  which  [  am  a  member.  But  they  had  no  right  at  all  to 
condemn,  or  even  to  judge  me,  themfclves,  and  much 
lefs  when  I  was  not  heard. — Perhaps  it  will  be  laid  they 
have  not  found  mc  puilty,  but  propofed  a  peaceable  man- 
ner  of  trying  whether  I  was  fo  or  not ;  but  Sir,  have  they 
not  found  by  their  fentence  the  relevancy  of  the  crime,  a- 
gainll  which,  as  well  as  the  proof,  any  accufed  perfon  hau 
a  right  to  be  heard. 


348  Defence  in  the 

The  injury  they  have  done  me,  and  the  tinjuft  and  iy^ 
rannical  method  of  their  proceedings,  appear  in  the  mofi 
evident  manner  from  the  fituation  in  which  I  now  Hand, 
and  the  mannerofthecaufebeingpleaded  before  you — You 
fee  with  what  difficulty  they  were  hindred,  or  rather  that 
they  could  not  be  hindered,  from  entering  into  the  merits 
of  the  c:iufe,  and  endeavoring  to  perfuade  the  Synod  to 
condemn  this  book  to  which  they  have  joined  my  name, 
before  they  have  fo  much  as  let  me  know  the  nature  and 
form  of  the  procefs  againfl  me,  and  when  1  have  had  no 
opportunity  to  fee  and  anfwer  their  charge.— This  is  a- 
gainft  all  rule,  for  by  the  form  of  procefs  it  ought  to  have 
be^un  at  the  prelbytery  of  Irvine  ;  and  whether  it  be  ta- 
ken up  upon  the  footing  of  a  fama  clamosa^  or  a  libel 
from  a  particular  accufer,  there  mull  ftill  be  virtually  a 
libel  in  the  view  of  the  court — But  by  bringing  it  in  here, 
in  the  manner  they  have  done,  and  pleading  upon  it,  they 
are  endeavoring  to  get  a  law  made,  as  it  were  ex  post 
facto,  upon  which  1  may  be  condemned  hereafter ;  and 
they  have  reduced  me  to  the  neceflity  of  pleading  in  de- 
fence of  a  book  with  which  I  do  not,  nor  ever  did  pretend 
any  connexion,  unlefs  I  would  give  a  fandion  to  a  me- 
thod of  proceeding  pregnant  with  tyranny  and  injuftice. 
So  that  thourrh  I  come  to  the  Synod  for  julHce  it  is  really 
hardly  poflible  for  you  fully  to  grant  it,  becaufe  you  can- 
not wholly  underhand  the  bad  efiedls  of  the  Prefbytery's 
wrong  procedure.  I  am  fenfible  Sir,  that  it  would  be  giving 
up  the  very  point  which  I  am  chiefly  to  plead,  if  I  fhould 
enter  into  the  merits  of  the  caufe  fo  far  as  to  confider  the 
particulars  contained  in  this  book  ;  whether  they  are  juft 
or  unjud,  true  or  falfe.  But  I  muft  beg  leave  to  confider 
a  little  in  general  whether  the  crime  of  which  they  think 
proper  to  fufpedl  me  was  fo  certainly  and  felf-evidently  re- 
levant that  they  might  take  it  for  granted,  and  affert  it  in 
their  minutes,  without  fo  much  as  having  the  book  before 
them,  or  mentioning  the  offenfive  pafTages  ;  which  I  fhould 
think  were  necefliiry  even  in  the  worll  book  that  can  be 
conceived — and  to  all  this  join  my  name  without  fuffering 
nie  to  be  heard. 


Synod  of  Glasgow.  249 

And  here,  fir,  I  flionld  think  that  modefty  and  com- 
mon decency  might  have  led  them  to  determine  otherwife, 
had  they  not  before  themfelves  the  unanimous  application 
of  a  large  and  numerous  people  to  call  me  to  be  their  mi- 
niller.  Did  not  thefe  people  know  of  the  rumour  of  my 
being  author  of  this  book  before  they  entered  into  this  re- 
folution,  and  are  they  all  [o  abandoned  as  to  call  an  ene- 
my to  all  rules  to  watch  for  their  fouls  ?  Did  not  the  pref- 
bytery  know  that  the  perfon  fo  fufpeded  had  been  a  mem* 
ber  of  a  presbytery  for  fome  years  after  the  fufpicion  be. 
gan  ?  that  he  had  been  a  member  of  this  Synod  with 
themfelves,  nay  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  this 
church,  and  no  notice  taken  of  it  all  ?  Nay,  are  they  fo 
ignorant  as  not  to  know  that  a  very  great  majority  of  this 
nation  find  no  fault  with  the  book  at  all  ?  and  any  perfoa 
profeffing  himfelf  the  author  would  not  thereby  in  the  leafl 
degree  forfeit  their  efteem.  Pray  fir,  was  it,  is  it,  could 
it  be  juft  in  this  cafe,  to  conclude  it  criminal  without  de- 
bate or  examination  ?  I  mean  not  by  this  to  juftify  the 
book  in  every  particular  ;  perhaps  if  it  comes  to  be  exa^ 
mined  I  may  join  in  condemning  it,  at  lead,  fi^me  parts ; 
but  I  infill  that  this  Ihows  the  precipitatenefs,  the  partialis 
ty  and  injultice  of  the  Prefbytery,  in  the  fentence  which 
they  pafled.  It  looks  as  if  they  themfelves  were  flruck  at 
in  the  performance  and  a£ted  as  interefled  perfons ;  and 
indeed  I  would  gladly  aflc  them  whether  they  think  them- 
felves pointed  at  in  the  pamphlet ;  and  if  they  think  fi^, 
and  at  the  fame  time  afcribe  it  to  me,  whether  it  is  juft 
and  equitable  that  they  fhould  be  my  judges  who  are  fup» 
pofed  to  be  aggrieved  ? 

There  is  another  general  confideration  that  fhews  how 
unjull  and  precipitate  this  fentence  was,  and  that  there  is 
really  no  belief  of  the  thing  being  fo  criminal  as  they 
have  taken  for  granted,  among  thofe  who  muft  be  mod  un* 
prejudiced  and  impartial  judges.  It  is  read  in  England, 
and  the  prefbytery  of  Paifley  do  or  may  know,  the  fenti* 
ments  that  are  entertained  of  it  there.  I  have  been  well 
informed  that  the  prefent  Bifiiop  of  London,  in  converfa-^ 
tion  with  a  Nobleman  of  our  own  country,  gave  it  grea^ 
commendation ;  and  withal  added,  it  feems  only  dir^fted 

Vol..  IV.  I  i 


i25o  i)efence  in  the 

at  a  certain  party  in  the  church  of  Scotland,  but  we  want 
not  very  many  in  the  Church  of  England,  to  whom  the 
characters  are  very  applicable.  And  Sir,  I  have  feen  a 
letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Warburton  to  a  minifler  in  Scot- 
land, and  it  has  been  feen  by  feveral  minillers  here  pre- 
fent,  in  which  he  commends  the  performance,  and  par- 
ticularly calls  it  a  fine  piece  of  raillery  againft  a  party,  to 
which  fays  he,  we  are  no  (Irangers  here — Is  it  to  be  fup- 
pofed  fir,  that  dilUnguifhed  perfons  for  worth  and  penetra- 
tion, would  commend  and  approve  a  thing  fo  evidently 
criminal  as  the  prelbytery  of  Paifley  are  pleafed  to  think — 
Are  perfons  of  the  character  there  reprefented  to  be  found 
in  the  Church  of  England  ?  Where  then  is  the  Church  of 
Scotland's  charter  of  fecurity  that  none  fliall  ever  arife  in 
her  deferving  fuch  a  reprimand  ?  Ihall  fuch  names  as  thefe 
mentioned  openly  affirm  that  there  are  fuch  in  England  ? 
and  muft  the  man  be  condemned  without  hearing  and 
without  mercy  who  is  but  fufpeded  of  hinting  that  there 
may  be  fuch  in  her  filler  church  ?  I  have  often  indeed  fince 
the  commencement  of  this  bufinefs  refledled  on  the  differ- 
ent fituation  of  affairs  in  Scotland  and  England.  I  have 
feen,  I  know  not  how  many  books  in  England,  printed 
with  the  authors  names,  which  plainly  and  without  am- 
biguity affirm  that  there  are  fome  of  the  clergy  proui 
ambitious,  time -fervers,  and  tools  to  thofe  in  power;  fome 
of  them  lazy  and  flothful,  lovers  of  eafe  and  pleafure; 
fome  of  them  fcandalous  and  diffolute  in  their  manners  ; 
fome  ignorant  and  infufficient.  And  thefe  things  they  af- 
firm without  the  lead  danger,  or  apprehenfion  of  it :  but 
I  believe,  were  I  to  publifh  a  book  that  had  the  tenth  part 
of  fuch  feverity  in  it  in  Scotland,  1  ought  at  the  fame  time 
to  have  a  ihip  hired  to  flee  to  another  country.  I  Ihall  not 
pretend  to  account  for  this  difference,  but  only  affirm, 
and  I  am  m)  felf  a  flanding  evidence,  that  it  doth  really 
fubfifl.  And  at  the  fame  time  it  is  attended  by  a  very  odd 
circumftance,  for  reproaches  are  criminal  when  thrown 
out  by  one  fet  againll  the  other,  but  not  in  the  leall  ^o, 
when  thrown  out,  or  thrown  back,  by  that  other  againfl 
the  firll — Many  here  prefent  will  remember  what  a  fet  of 
overtures  were  brought  into  this  Synod  in  April  1753,  by 


Synod  of  Clasgovf.  a  j  r 

fome  of  the  very  perfons  who  are  now  {landing  at  the  bar ; 
one  of  them  fet  forth  the  grievous  crime  of  bringing  our 
public  differences  with  one  another  into  the  pulpit :  and 
yet,  ftrange  to  think,  the  only  fermon  that  ever  I  heard 
in  my  life  in  which  this  was  5one,  was  by  one  of  my  pre- 
fent  accufers,  who.  Sir,  fell  bloodily  upon  thofe  minillers 
who  bawl  out  againfl:  the  law  of  the  land  as  a  grievance, 
inflead  of  giving  it  that  obedience  which  becomes  good 
fubjedts.  It  indeed  was  his  ignorance  to  find  fault  with 
that  expreflion,  which  is  ufed  even  by  the  facred  infallible 
General  AITembly,  in  the  annual  inflr unions  to  their 
commiffioners.  Is  it  not  alfo  well  known,  that  a  pam- 
phlet was  publiflied,  called  "  The  Juft  View  of  the  Con- 
ftitution,"  which  common,  uncontradicted  fame,  which 

is  not  my  cafe,  attributes  to  Mr,  H ,  and  pub- 

liflied  many  months  before  the  one  for  which  I  am  now 
accufed.  This  pamphlet  reprefents  us  all  in  general  as 
not  acting  upon  confcience,  but  from  a  love  of  popularity, 

or  in  the  words  of  the  ingenious  Mr.  T of  Gowan, 

*'  not  confcience,  but  a  fpirit  of  fadion  and  a  love  of  do- 
minion." And  befides  this,  it  tells  a  (lory,  which  it  calls 
a  fcene  of  iniquity,  with  the  initial  letters  of  the  names  of 
the  perfons  concerned.  Was  ever  this  pamphlet  charged 
by  thefe  gentlemen,  my  opponents,  as  contrary  to  the  in- 
tereft  of  religion  ?  At  the  fame  time,  I  fliould  be  glad  to 
know  what  it  is  that  makes  the  difcovery  of  a  fcene  of  ini- 
quity, if  committed  by  fome  whom  I  mud  not  name, 
contrary  to  the  intereft  of  religion  ;  but  the  difcovery  of  a 
fcene  of  iniquity,  fuppofed  to  be  committed  by  Mr.  Web- 
ftcr,  or  fome  others  of  us,  nothing  contrar}'  to  it  at  all.  I 
am  not  able  to  difcover  any  reafon  for  this  diflferencc  of 
judgment,  but  one  that  is  not  very  honorable  to  them,  viz, 
Thefe  fcenes  of  iniquity,  fuppofed  to  be  committed  by 
them,  are  more  probable  in  themfelves,  and  adually  ob- 
tain more  credit,  than  thofe  which  they  throw  out  againfl 
us.  I  do  not  affirm  that  that  is  the  reafon,  but  I  think, 
fince  they  have  been  the  agi^refTors,  both  in  cenfuring  u« 
for  fcrupling  obedience  to  fome  of  their  decifions  and  at- 
tacking our  characters  in  print,  if  fome  namelefs  author 
has  with  great  fucccfs  retaliated  the  injury  of  the  lailkind^ 


^5*  jDefente  in  the 

they  ought  to  lie  as  quietly  under  it  as  poflible,  both  ffdTH 
equity  and  prudence — from  equity  becatife  they  have  gi* 
Ven  the  provocation  ;  from  prudence,  becaufe  it  will  bring 
tnany  to  fay,  that  charge  mull  have  been  juft,  or  it  would 
have  been  treated  with  contempt. — Surely  that  flroke 
mull  have  been  well  aimed — the  wound  mufl  have  been 
Very  deep,  fmce  the  fear  continues  fo  long,  and  is  never 
like  to  be  either  forgotten  or  forgiven. 

But,  Sir,  I  mufl  confefs  I  am  amazed  at  the  boldnefs, 
as  well  as  the  violence  of  thofe  gentlemen,  confideringthe 
land  in  which. we  live.  Is  it  not,  and  do  we  not  glory  iri 
its  being  a  land  of  liberty  ?  Is  it  then  aland  of  civil  liber- 
ty and  yet  of  ecclefiaftical  tyranny?  Mufl  not  a  man  have 
equity  and  jullice  in  the  church,  as  well  as  the  ftate  ?  Are 
there  not  every  day  publifhed  in  this  nation,  aS  fev^e, 
nay  much  feverer  cenfures  of  the  greateil  charadlerS  in 
the  kingdom,  and  pofTefllng  the  highefl  offices  ?  Are  there 
not  attacks  upon  our  fovereign  himfelf,  and  his  augull  fa- 
mily, many  times  made  in  print,and  yet  pafTed  unheeded  ? 
And  mufl  the  leafl  attempt  to  (how  that  there  are  corrup- 
tions among  the  clergy  be  an  unpardonable  crime  ?  I  have 
feen  it  infilled  on  in  i:«'int,  that  as  foon  as  the  liberty  of 
the  prefs  is  taken  away,  there  is  an  end  of  every  fhadow  of 
liberty.  And  as  of  late  years  it  hath  been  very  frequent 
to  borrow  from  what  is  cuflomary  in  the  civil  government, 
tind  apply  it  to  the  church,  I  fhall  beg  leave  to  borrow 
this  maxim,  and  to  afBrm,  that  {o  foon  as  it  is  not  per- 
mitted in  general  to  lafh  the  charaf^^ers  of  churchmen, 
there  is  eflablifhed  a  facerdotal  tyranny,  which  always 
was,  and  always  will  be,  of  the  mofl  cruel,  relentlefs,  and 
illegal  kind.  But  the  worfl  of  all  is  dill  behind,  which  I  am 
aiJhamed  to  mention  in  the  prefence  of  fo  many  of  the 
laity,  becaufe  of  the  reproach  which  it  brings  upon  our 
church.  There  have  been  publifhed  among  us,  writings 
diredlly  levelled  againfl  religion  itfelf,  taking  away  the 
very  fou-ndation  of  morality,  bringing  in  doubt  the  being 
of  God,  and  treating  our  Redeemer's  name  with  contempt 
and  derifion.  Writings  of  this  kind  have  been  publicly 
avowed,  with  the  author's  name  prefixed.  Where  has 
been  the  zeal  of  the  Prcfbytcry  of  Paifley  againfl  fuch 


Synod  of  GlasgO'U).  255 

writings  ?  Have  they  moved  fof  the  exercife  of  dircipline 
againfl:  the  authors  ?  Have  they  fup^ported  the  motioa 
Avhen  made  by  others  ?  I  am  afraid,  Sir,  this  profecution 
will  give  many  juft  ground  to  fay,  as  was  faid  an  age  ago 
by  Moliere  in  France,  and  by  fome  there  upon  occafion 
of  his  writings,  that  a  man  may  write  againfl  God  Almigh* 
ty  what  he  pleafes,  in  perfedt  fecurity  ;  but  if  he  write 
againlt  the  charadlers  of  the  clergy  in  power,  he  is  ruined 
for  ever. 

I  am  fenfible.  Sir  that  they  have  fiiid,  even  at  this  bar, 
as  indeed  they  and  their  emmiflaries  in  converfation  have 
often  alled<2:ed,  that  the  quarrel  they  have  at  the  pamphlet, 
is  its  hurtful  tendency  to  the  intereO:  of  religion  :  nay, 
they  have  often  faid  that  one  who  could  write  in  that 
ftyle  and  manner  againfl  his  brethren,  cannot  poflibly  be 
a  good  man  ;  and  that  has  been  commonly  faid  even  upon 
the  fuppofition  of  the  truth  of  the  fadts  and  charadters  con- 
tained in  the  book.  This,  Sir,  I  would  have  had  nothing 
to  do  with,  but  would  have  fuffered  the  book  to  anfwer  for 
itfelf,  fmce  its  author  does  not  think  proper  to  appear  ia 
its  defence,  if  they  had  not  been  pleafed  to  load  me  with 
the  fufpicion  of  it.  For  removing  this  odium,  by  which 
alone  it  is  that  they  have  made  an  impreffion  on  fome 
good  men,  I  obferve  in  general,  that  it  is  not  conceivable 
that  a  thing  fhouldbe  a  certain  mark  of  a  bad  man,  which 
is  approved  by,  and  conveys  no  fuch  idea  to,  fo  great  a 
number  of  unqueflionable  charadlers.  But  befides,  let 
us  confider  a  little  the  nature  of  the  thing — i.  It  is  writ- 
ten  ironically.  2,  It  is  fuppofed  to  attack  the  charac- 
ters and  credit  of  a  part  of  the  clergy  of  the  church  of 
Scotland.  As  to  the  lirlt  of  thefe,  far  be  it  from  me  to 
aflert  that  ridicule  is  the  teft  of  truth  ;  many  here  prefent 
know  how  uniformly,  and  how  itrenuoufly  I  have  main- 
tained  the  contrary  ;  it  is  however  many  times  ufeful  to 
difgrace  known  falfehood,  and  fuch  pradices  as  to  be  def- 
pifed  need  only  to  be  expofed  ;  that  it  is  a  lawful  thing 
to  make  fuch  an  ufe  of  it,  is  evident  from  the  higheft  au- 
thority. There  are  many  inflances  of  irony  in  the  facred 
writings.  In  Gen.  iii.  22.  we  have  an  expreflion  put 
into  the  mouth  of  God  himfelf,  which  many,  perhaps  moil 


554  Defence  in  ihe 

interpreters,  fuppofe  to  be  an  irony  ;  and  as  It  is  of  the 
rnofl  fevereand  cutting  kind,  in  a  moft  deplorable  cafe,  fo 
I  do  not  fee  that  another  interpretation  can  be  put  upon  the 
words. — *'  And  the  Lord  God  faid,  behold  the  man  is  be- 
'*  come  as  one  of  us,  to  know  good  and  evil."  The  con- 
<3u6l  of  Elijah,  and  his  treatment  of  the  prophets  of  Baal, 
I  Kings  xviii.  27.  is  another  example  of  the  fame  kind^; 
*'  And  it  came  to  pafs  at  noon,  that  Elijah  mocked  them, 
"  and  faid,  Cry  aloud  :  for  he  is  a  ^od,  either  he  is  talking/ 
*'  or  he  is  purfuing,  or  he  is  in  a  journey,  or  peradven- 
*'  ture  he  fleepeth,  and  muft  be  awaked."  There  are  a 
good  many  inftances  of  it  in  the  prophets,  Which  I  omit 
to  fave  time,  as  the  thing  is  undeniable,  and  only  further 
mention  an  exprefHon  of  our  Saviour  himfelf,  who  though 
a  man  of  forrows  and  in  a  Ihte  of  humiliation,  yet  in 
fome  places  ufes  a  language  plainly  ironical,  as  in  John 
X.  31.  "  Many  good  works  have  I  (hewed  you  from  my 
"  Father,  for  which  of  thefe  works  do  ye  Hone  me  ?" 

And  as  the  inftances  of  fuch  writing  in  the  word  of 
God  fufficiently  warrants  the  ufe  of  it,  fo  it  is  founded 
upon  the  plained  reafgn.  There  are  two  diflind  quali- 
ties of  truth  and  piety  ;  a  divine  beauty,  which  renders 
them  amiable,  and  a  holy  majelly,  which  renders  them  ve- 
nerable : — and  there  are  alfo  two  dilVmQ  quuiities  of  er- 
ror and  impiety  ;  a  criminal  guilt,  which  renders  them  the 
object  of  horror,  and  a  delufion  and  folly,  which  renders 
them  filly  and  contemptible — and  it  is  fir  and  proper  that 
the  children  of  God  (hould  have  both  of  thefe  fentiments 
of  hatred  and  contempt  with  regard  to  them.  And  the  lad 
is  often  neceflary,  as  well  as  the  firft,  in  combating  cor- 
ruptions. There  is  for  ordinary,  a  pride  and  felf-fuffici- 
ency  in  wicked  men,  which  makes  them  deaf  to  advice, 
and  impregnable  to  fober  and  ferious  reafoning,  nor  is 
there  any  getting  at  them  till  there  pride  is  levelled  a 
little  with  this  difmaying  weapon.  Many  of  the  ancient 
fathers  of  the  Chriflian  church,  both  ufed  this  manner  of 
writing,  and  afTerted  its  neceflity.  There  is  one  paffage 
of  Tertullian,  which  I  fliall  tranfiate,  becaufe  it  is  very 
much  to  the  purpofe.  "  There  are  many  things  which 
ought  to  bs  treated  with  contempt  and  mockery,  through 


Syncdo/GIasgciv.  255 

fear  of  giving  them  weight,  and  making  them  too  impor- 
tant, by  ferioufly  debating  them.  Nothing  more  is  due 
to  vanity  than  derifion;  and  it  bcloirgs  to  the  truth  to 
fmile  becaufe  it  is  chean'uJ,  and  to  defpife  its  enemies 
becaufe  it  is  aflured  of  victory.  It  is  true  that  we  ought 
to  be  careful  that  the  raillery  be  not  low  and  unworthy  of 
the  truth ;  but  if  that  is  taken  care  of,  and  we  can  make 
ufe  of  it  with  addrefs  and  delicacy,  it  is  a  duty  to  do  fo.'* 

To  this  I  (hall  add  another  pafTage  from  St.  Augufline 

*'  Who  will  dare  to  fay  that  the  truth  ought  to  remain  de- 
fenceless againft  the  attacks  of  falfehood  ?  That  the  ene- 
mies of  religion  fhall  be  permitted  to  terrify  the  faithful 
with  ftrong  words,  and  to  entice  and  feduce  them  by  agree- 
able terms  of  wit ;  but  that  believers  ought  never  to 
write,  but  with  fuch  a  coldnefs  of  Uyle  as  to  lull  the  reader 
afleep  ?" 

Enough  furely  has  been  faid  in  defence  of  the  manner 
of  writing  ;  and  as  to  the  fubjedl  of  it,  attacking  the  cha- 
ratlers  of  clergymen,  I  am  altogether  at  a  lofs  to  know 
what  is  that  argument  in  reafon,  or  thatprecept  in  fcripture, 
which  makes  it  criminal  to  cenfure  them,  when  they  dc- 
ferve  it.  That  their  ftation,  like  that  of  all  other  perfons 
of  influence  or  in  public  employment,  Ihould  make  men 
very  tender  and  cautious  how  they  take  up  an  evil  report 
againil  them,  and  never  to  do  it,  except  upon  good  ground, 
I  allow;  but  when  the  church  is  really  bad,  I  hold  it  as  a 
juft  principle,  that  as  it  is  in  them  doubly  criminal,  and 
doubly  pernicious,  (o  it  ought  to  be  expofed  with  double 
feverity.  And  this  is  fo  hr  from  being  contrary  to  the 
interells  of  religion,  that  nothing  can  be  more  honorable 
to  it,  than  to  (hew  that  there  are  fome  fo  bold  as  to  re- 
prove, and  i^o  faithful  as  to  withlland,  the  corruptions  of 
others.  How  far  fecret  wickednefs  (liould  be  concealed, 
and  fcenes  of  iniquity  not  laid  open,  and  fofin  tu/ned  in-^ 
to  fcandal  in  minillers,  is  a  matter  that  Vv'ould  require  a 
very  careful  and  accurate  difcuflion,  and  admit  of  many 
exceptions  ;  but  if  in  any  cafe  erroneous  do<f\rine,  or  de- 
generacy of  life,  is  plain  and  vifible,  to  render  them  com- 
pletely odious,  mufl  be  a  duty  ;  and  when  it  is  not  done, 
it  makes  men  conclude  we  arc  all  combined  together,  like 


256  Defence  In  the 

Demetrius  and  the  craftfmen,  and  more  concerned  for  our 
own  power  and  credit,  than  the  intereft  and  benefit  of 
thofe  committed  to  our  charge.  Thofe  who  think  that  no 
good  man  can  attack  the  Ghar?.6ler  ofthe  clergy,  I  would 
juft  remind  of  the  attack  made  upon  the  Jefuits  in  France, 
about  one  hundred  years  ago,  by  the  gentlemen  ofthe  Port 
royal,  a  fociety  of  Janfenifts,  of  great  parts  and  eminent 
piety  ;  particularly  by  Monfieur  Pafcal,  in  his  provincial 
letters,  which  are  written  almofl  entirely  in  the  way  of  ri- 
dicule. And  the  very  objedtion  was  made  againfl  them  by 
the  Jefuits  at  that  time,  that  is  now  made  againft  this  piece. 
Will  any  man  now  conclude  from  them,  that  Pafcal  was 
a  bad  man,  whom  all  hiflory  teftifies  to  have  been  as  pious 
and  unbiafled  to  the  world  as  any  of  his  time? 

I  hope,  fir,  what  hath  been  fa  id  thus  in  general,  on  the 
fpecies  of  writing,  and  the  fubjecl  of  this  book,  will  con- 
vince every  impartial  member  of  this  Synod,  that  the 
Prefbytery  of  Paiiley  have  adted  in  a  moll  unjuft  and  iU 
legal  manner,  in  pafling  the  fentence  they  have  done  up- 
on it  in  my  abfence,  and  without  any  examination.  It  is 
neceffary  that  I  fhould  now  alfo  fpeak  a  little  to  the  me* 
thod  of  enquiry  which  they  refolved  upon,  by  appointing 
a  committee  of  their  number  privately  to  interrogate  me. 
And  indeed,  fir,  the  method  is  fo  full  of  abfurdity  and  ty* 
ranny,  that  I  know  not  well  where  to  begin  in  fpeaking 
upon  it.  They  have  no  v^^here  indeed  told  what  were  to 
be  the  confequences,  if  their  fufpicions  were  found  to  be 
juft.  Perhaps  the  Prefbytery  of  Paifley  would  have  palT- 
ed  fentence  of  depofition  againft  me  in  my  abfence,  which 
would  have  been  but  ending  as  they  began,  contrary  to 
law  and  juftice.  But,  whatever  were  their  particular  in- 
tentions, by  their  violent  and  illegal  ftretches  of  power 
in  falling  upon  it,  they  were  plainly  of  the  worft  kind  ; 
and  it  always  put  me  in  mind  of  a  Fryer  of  the  Inquifition, 
with  an  unhappy  perfon  before  them,  whom  they  want  to 
eonvi<5t,  that  they  may  burn  him,  ftroking  him,  and  faying 
to  him  in  the  fpirit  of  meeknefs,  Confefs,  my  fon,  confefs. 

Sir,  if  thefe  gentlemen  fuppofed  me  endued  with  the 
leaft  degree  of  common  underftanding,  this  method  was 
tJtceflively  abfurd;  and  whether  they  did  or  not,  it  was 


Synod  of  Giasgonvl  157 

full  of  injuflice.  This  committee  being  appointed  by 
the  court,  and  the  appointment  inferted  on  the  records  of 
the  Prefbytery,  I  ju(t  afk,  were  they  not  to  make  a  report 
to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Prefbytery,  of  all  their  private 
converfation  with  me  ?  Would  not  this  alfo  be  ingrofied 
in  the  minutes,  and  make  a  part  of  the  procefs  under 
their  cognizance  ?  Coukl  I  be  prefent  at  their  next 
meeting,  to  be  the  leall  check  or  controul  upon  their  re- 
port ?  or  woukl  they  regard  any  of  my  corredlions  of  their 
committee's  report,  if  I  could  ?  In  this  fituation,  no 
man  of  common  fenfe  would  have  had  any  converfation 
with  them  but  by  writing,  fo  that  he  might  be  fure  no- 
thing would  be  reported  but  his  own  words.  For  I  would 
not  truft  the  moll  impartial  perfon  in  the  world  to  report 
any  converfation  with  me,  upon  a  matter  in  which  he 
feemed  to  be  keenly  interefted,  or  to  have  very  different 
fentiments  from  me.  The  power  of  prejudice  would 
give  a  tin6ture  to  the  reprefentation ;  nay,  the  lead  for- 
getfulnefs  would  create  fome  variance.  And  if  they  fup- 
pofed  me  fimple  enough  to  converfe  with  them,  what 
mufl:  they  have  been,  to  take  fuch  advantage  of  my  fim- 
plicity  ? 

Further,  fir,  this  method  of  enquiry  was  very  abfurd, 
becaufe  felf-contradi6tory.  They  load  a  man  with  the 
fufpicion  of  writing  a  book  contrary  to  the  interefl:  of  re- 
ligion, and  containing  many  fallhoods  ;  and  then  they 
pretend  to  afk  this  man  if  he  had  done  fo,  faying  that  they 
will  be  well  fatisfied  if  he  (hall  deny  it.  Thefe  fuppofi- 
tions  deftroy  one  another.  If  his  veracity  be  fo  entirely 
to  be  depended  on,  either  he  mufl:  not  be  the  author  of 
the  book,  or  it  is  impoilible  it  can  contain  the  falfhoods 
that  are  alleged  :  for  if  he  will  lie  in  print  to  defame  his 
brethren,  he  will  furely  never  fcruple  to  lie  in  converfa- 
tion  to  fave  himfelf  from  ruin.  Therefore,  fir,  I  do  af- 
firm, that  appointing  a  committee  to  confer  with  me, 
was  highly  abfurd,  or  Jefuiiically  cunning.  For  if  my 
word  is  fo  much  to  be  depended  on  as  they  give  out,  it  is 
a  clear  and  compleat  vindication  of  me  from  their  charge, 
and  that  out  of  their  own  mouths.  But  perhaps  they 
were  more  cunning  Uian  abfurd,  and  intended  firit  to  make 
Vol.  IV.  K  k 


i58  Defence  in  the 

me  deny  the  thing  formally,  and  then  adduce  It  as  a  proof, 
and  to  aggravate  the  crime. 

But,  fir,  they  pretend  that  In  this  they  are  only  in  the 
fpirit,  and  following  the  rules  of  the  Gofpel ;  particularly 
that  rule  of  our  Saviour,  "•  If  thy  brother  trefpafs  againfl 
thee,"  &c.  It  is  furprifing  to  hear  any  fpeaking  in  the 
name  of  fuch  a  body,  make  ufe  of  this  argument.  I  would 
not  give  my  judgment  for  having  a  man  to  preach  the 
Gofpel,  who  is  capable  of  giving  fuch  an  interpretation 
to  that  text.  It  evidently  and  undeniably  relates  only 
to  private  offence  or  perfonal  injury.  "  If  thy  brother 
*'  trefpafs  againft  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between 
*'  thee  and  him  alone ;  if  he  hear  thee,  thou  haft  gain- 
"  ed  thy  brother."  Here,  fir,  nobody  has  any  thing  to 
do  with  it  but  the  perfon  injured  ;  if  by  confeffion  or 
reparation,  he  is  fatisfied,  the  matter  is  ended.  But  will 
any  man  fay  that  this  is  to  be  applied  to  cafes  public  in 
their  nature,  and  againft  which,  if  true,  a  procefs  and 
public  cenfure  is  intended  ?  If  any  of  the  Preft)ytery  of 
Paifley,  fuppofmg  themfelves  pointed  at  in  that  book, 
had  previoufiy  come  to  me  when  the  report  rofe  ;  or  fup- 
pofe  they  had  at  any  time,  as  private  perfons,  fpoke  to 
me  on  the  fubjedt — they  would  have  found  no  man  more 
ready  to  commune  v/ith  them,  and  give  them  all  fatisfac- 
tion  due  from  one  Chriftian  to  another.  But,  fir,  after 
proceeding  as  a  court  in  the  manner  above  reprefented  ; 
after  illegally  finding  it  criminal,  and  making  It  the  ground 
of  flopping  a  fettlement ;  then  to  appoint  a  committee 
privately  to  interrogate  me,  as  to  the  fa6l — it  is,  in  my 
humble  opinion,  a  violation  of  juftice  for  them  to  attempt 
it,  a  perverfion  of  the  word  of  God  to  build  it  upon  that 
text ;  and  it  would  be  yielding  up  the  natural  rights  of 
mankind  if  I  ftiould  be  fo  tame  as  to  fubmit  to  it. 

Again,  fir,  they  pretend  that  their  conduct  is  exadly 
conformable  to  the  form  of  procefs  and  the  practice 
founded  upon  it  in  the  cafe  of  other  fcandals,  where  the 
very  firft  means  of  proof  is  dealing  with  the  accufed  per- 
fon's  confcience,  to  bring  him  to  a  confeffion.  And  here, 
fir,  I  mufl  fay,  before  this  Synod,  that  1  am  not  only 
humbly  willing  to  ftand  or  fall  by  this  form  of  procefs. 


X       Synod  of  Qlasgowl  2jj 

but  that  I  am  refolved  to  aflert  and  maintain  my  right  to 
be  judged  by  it,  and  by  it  alone,  and  not  by  the  arbitrary 
proceedings  of  fome  modern  clergymen.  A  general  obfer- 
vation  is  neceflary  here,  that  this  form  of  procefs  doth  uni- 
verfally  proceed  upon  fcandals,  the  relevancy  of  which  is 
acknowledged  and  cannot  be  denied.  Now,  this  is  by  no 
means  the  cafe  here,  as  is  evident  from  my  continuing 
fo  long  in  the  minifterial  charader,  after  the  rife  of  the  re- 
port, as  well  as  many  other  confiderations  fuggefted  above ; 
and  therefore,  at  any  rate,  the  relevancy  mufl:  be  iirft 
proved,  before  there  can  be  any  propriety  of  afking  for  a 
confeflion  and  dealing  with  the  confcience.  It  is  true, 
they  have  in  their  minutes  found  the  relevancy  ;  but  whe- 
ther this  has  been  according  to  the  rules  in  the  form  of 
procefs,  I  could  almoft  allow  even  themfelves  to  be  judg- 
es ;  for  I  dare  fay  they  would  hardly  do  it  a  fecond  time. 

But  now,  after  we  have  left  this  in  its  full  force,  let  us 
fuppofe  that  the  matter  objected,  were  only  of  a  fcanda- 
lous  nature,  and  let  us  go  to  the  7th  chapter  in  the  form 
of  procefs  concerning  miniflers,  and  fee  whether  the  me- 
thod there  prefcribed  has  been  obferved  in  this  cafe. 
But,  fir,  as  the  whole  affair  is  full  of  irregularity,  and  in- 
volved in  darknefs  and  confufion  by  the  precipitate  or  art- 
ful condudl  of  the  Prefbytery ;  fo  there  is  a  particular  diffi- 
culty which  arifes  from  the  ftrange  and  ambiguous  light 
in  which  they  appear.  Thofe  who  read  the  ftile  and  direc- 
tions of  the  form  of  procefs,  will  plainly  fee  that  fuch  a 
cafe  as  that  now  before  you,  was  never  contemplated  by 
the  compilers  of  it.  It  is  difficult  to  fay  whether  they  arc 
to  be  confidered  as  private  Chriflians  offended  and  accu- 
fmg,  or  the  occafion  of  the  accufation,  or  as  a  church  court 
taking  the  affair  under  their  cognizance  for  judgment. 
They  feem  to  have  confidered  themfelves  as  both.  This 
I  can  never  yield  to  ;  but  they  fhall  be  at  liberty  to  be  ei. 
ther  of  them  they  think  proper.  And  fo  I  (hall  confider 
them  firft  in  the  one  light,  and  then  in  the  other. 

I  ft.  If  they  be  confidered  as  Chriflians  offended,  and 
the  accufers  or  occafion  of  the  accufation,  the  rule  is  to 
be  found  in  the  4th  part  of  the  7  th  chapter  of  the  form  of 
procefs,  "  All  Chriftians,''  &c.    Here  then,  fir^  I  com- 


26o  Defence  in  the 

plain  of  them,  that  they  have  not  done  as  Chriflians,  not 
even  what  they  refolved  to  do  as  a  court,  and  very  much 
out  of  time.  Have  they  been  wary  in  accufmg  me  ?  Have 
they  abflained  from  publifhin^  or  fpreading  the  icandal  ? 
Have  they  thefe  three  years  by- pail,  converfed  with  me 
on  the  fubje£l  ?  Have  they  not  in  the  ccntroverfy  every 
where  called  it  a  heinous  crime  ;  though  they  knew  that 
was  far  from  being  generally  yielded,  and  would  not  pro- 
bably be  yielded  by  me  ?  Nay,  now  inftead  of  privately 
converfing  with  me,  during  the  feven  weeks  delay  of  the 
affair,  without  affigning  a  reafon,  have  they  not  record- 
ed it  in  their  regider  ?  Have  they  not  made  it  a  part  of  a 
procefs,  difqualifying  me  for  a  call  ?  1  leave  any  one  to 
judge  whether  this  was  following  the  rule  laid  down  in  the 
form  of  procefs.  Befides,  they  a£t  not  only  as  private 
perfons,  but  judges  ;  or  at  leaft  are  making  the  enquiry 
themfelves,  that  they  may  know  whether  they  may  defire 
thje  Prefbytery  of  Irvine  to  do  it  after  them, 

2d.  Let  us  confider  them  as  a  church  court,  taking 
the  affiir  under  their  cognizance  for  judgment.  Here  to 
be  fure,  there  is  a  monilrous  impropriety.  For,  luppo- 
fmg  them  to  have  taken  ever  fo  ju!i  fieps  in  other  re- 
fpeds,  1  was  never  before  them,  I  cannot  be  before  them, 
1  am  not  fubjtct  to  them.  Yet,  fir,  as  it  cannot  be  be- 
fore^ the  Synod  in  any  other  way  than  they  have  been 
pleafed  to  take  it  up  in  ;  let  us  fee  bow  agreeable  it  is  to 
the  form  of  procefs,  and  whether  they  are  ready  to  deal 
■with  me  for  a  confelfion.  The  form  of  procefs  mentions 
three  ways  of  taking  up  a  fcandal  againft  a  minifter.  The 
two  firfl  none  pretends  to  hold  in  this  cafe.  The  lafl  is, 
part  3,  lafl  claufe,  "  that  thf^fama  clamosa,''^  &:c.  Now, 
can  any  man  fay  that  this  condition  holds  in  the  prefent 
cafe.  Is  this  fo  fcandalous  in  the  eyes  of  the  people,  that 
a  Prefbytery  would  be  reproached  if  they  let  it  j)afs.  If 
there  be  ^any  fuch  fama^  it  is  very  filent ;  for  I  never 
heard  of  atiy  fault  found  with  the  Prefbytery  of  Irvine,  to 
whom  itf  naturally  fell  to  do  it.  On  the  contrary,  I  do 
afHrm^'^'becaure  I  am  able  to  prove,  that  the  Prefbytery  of 
Paifley's  taking  it  up,  v^^ith  very  many,  brings  reproach 
Upon  them.     Again,  do  they  follow  the   rule  prefcribed 


Synod  of  Glasgow.  i6r- 

even  when  that  condition  exills  ?  Have  they  enquired 
into  the  rife,  occafion,  branches  and  grounds  of  xh\s  fama 
clamosa.  This  they  were  the  more  bound  to  do,  that  it 
is  far  from  being  an  uncontradidledy^/zz^  ;  fo  far  from  it, 
that  the  very  prevailing/^wa  is  not  that  I  am  the  author, 
but  fome  how  concerned  in  it.  They  theivifelves  exprefs 
it  fome  fuch  way  in  their  minutes.  This  makes  all  the  ar- 
guments about  their  paffing  over  the  relevancy,  every  way 
flrong  ;  becaufe  a  man  might  have  fome  accclfion  to  the 
publifliing  of  a  book  in  which  fome  very  bad  things  were ; 
and  without  examination  or  fpecifying  what  this  acceflioa 
was,  it  would  be  very  hard  to  judge  him  guilty  of  the  word, 
or  of  the  whole.  To  fay  the  truth,  fome  oF  their  well-wifti- 
ers  have  made  it  a  very  difhonorable  fama  for  me  ;  fay- 
ing that  I  helped  to  contrive  the  mifchief,  to  colled  the  ca- 
lumnies, but  had  not  flcill  enough  to  give  it  its  drefs  and 
form.  Should  not  they  have  enquired  then  into  the 
grounds  of  this  fama  ?  and  have  they  ever  done  it  ? 

Further,  in  the  5th  paragraph  of  that  chapter  of  the 
form  of  procefs,  it  is  exprefsly  appointed,  that  even  after 
a  procefs  is  begun  upon  a  fama  clamosa^  the  court  mud 
give  a  liberal  and  competent  time  to  anfwer  it.  And  the 
accufed  perfon  is  to  be  heard  upon  the  relevancy.  This 
is,  fir,  upon  the  relevancy  in  the  way  the  fads  are  laid, 
even  concerning  a  thing  confefledly  fcandalous  ;  and  all 
this,  before  the  court  are  to  endeavor  to  bring  him  to  a 
confeffion.  From  this,  then,  it  is  clear  and  evident,  that 
however  lawful  or  prudent  it  might  be  for  private  perfons 
to  commune  with  a  man  himfelf,  till  this  be  done  there  is 
no  warrant  from  the  form  of  procefs  for  a  court  to  appoint 
any  examination  and  enquiry  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  ma- 
king, inllead  of  mending  a  i'candal.  And  il  this  is  the 
rule  in  cafes  confefledly  of  a  fcandalous  nature,  it  holds 
much  more  itrongly  in  what  is  now  before  you. 

The  truth  is,  this  is  not  only  the  order  of  proceeding 
exprefsly  laid  down  with  regard  to  miniilers,  but  it  is 
common  equity,  and  in  fubflance  the  fame  with  the  cafe 
Oi  fcandal  in  all  other  cafes,  and  with  refpecl  to  all  other 
perfons.  For  though  when  a  particular  accufer  againll  a 
man  appears,  laying  to  his  charge  a  grofs  crime,  fuch  as 


S,6z  Defence  in  the 

tincleannefs,  it  feems  to  be  due  to  his  own  chara£ter,  as 
well  as  to  the  public,  that  he  Ihould  profefs  innocence  ; 
yet  it  often  happens  that  when  the  accufation  appears 
wanton  and  malicious,  he  puts  the  accufer  upon  the 
proof,  and  refufes  to  give  any  other  fatisfaftion.  And 
whenever  any  perfon  does  fo,  though  the  court  may  think 
it  obftinacy  and  ftatelinefs,  or  that  they  cannot  fully  ap- 
prove his  conduct,  yet  they  never  condemn  him  on  that  ac- 
count, but  difmifs  the  procefs  for  want  of  fuiEcient  light. 
And  I  have  feen  feveral  cafes  of  this  fort,  in  which  the  court 
abfolutely  refufed  to  put  a  man  to  his  oath,  or  even  afk 
him  if  he  was  willing  to  fwear,  unlefs  there  were  fome 
more  prefumption  than  the  bare  accufation.  And  indeed 
this  is  required  in  the  form  of  procefs.  This,  however,  is 
ftating  the  cafe  too  ftrongly.  But  if  there  be  no  particu- 
lar accufer,  but  a  vague  and  general  fama,  would  it  be 
tolerable  for  a  court  to  call  any  gentleman  whom  they  Ihall 
be  pleafed  to  fufpeft,  and  put  him  upon  an  enquiry,  whe- 
ther he  was  ever  guilty  of  the  Cm  of  uncleannefs  ?  I  dare 
fay  fuch  a  meafure  would  be  detefled  by  every  reafonable 
man. 

But  you  will  fay,  here  is  a  corpus  debiti.  Then  let 
me  fuppofe  a  cafe  exadlly  parallel — that  a  child  were  ex- 
pofed  in  a  gentleman's  neighborhood,  no  mother  appear- 
ing or  accufing,  but  an  ible  rumour  arifes,  that  perhaps 
it  may  be  his,  or  it  may  have  been  fomebody  about  his 
houfe,  and  he  acceffary  to  the  commiflion  of  the  crime ; 
would  it  in  that  cafe  be  reafonable  and  juft,  would  it  be  ac- 
cording to  the  form  of  procefs,  to  call  him,  and  interro- 
gate him,  whether  he  had  ever,  or  for  twelve  months  pre- 
ceding, been  guilty  of  the  crime  of  uncleannefs — without 
making  any  previous  enquiry,  as  to  the  rife  of  the  affair, 
or  probability  of  the  imputation  ?  So,  in  this  cafe,  here 
is  a  child  of  the  brain,  expofed  to  the  world  :  the  mo- 
ther,  that  is  to  fay,  the  prefsor  the  publiflier,  accufes  no- 
body; nay,  pretends  that  it  is  lawfully  begotten.  A 
vague  rumor  lays  it  to  me.  This  hath  never  been  en- 
quired into,  though  the  firfl:  broacher  of  it  might  cafily  be 
tound  J  and  yet  1  mud  be  interrogated  by  a  court,  to 


Sjnod  of  Glasgclv.  .  263 

whom  I  atTi  not  fabje<5l,  with  whom  as  yet,  as  a  court,  I 
have  nothing  to  do.  In  Ihort,  fir,  what  I  would  do  if  I 
were  fo  irregularly  attacked,  and  charged  with  a  crime 
highly  and  confeiTedly  fcandalous,  I  do  not  know,  and 
hope  I  fhall  never  have  occafion  to  deliberate  upon  it. 
But  in  this  vague  and  illegal  accufation  of  a  doubtful 
crime,  and  a  crime  perhaps  chiefly  or  only  in  the  eyes 
of  thofe  who  accufe  me  and  their  adherents,  I  hope  I  will 
be  approved  by  every  impartial  perfon  in  ftanding  up  for 
the  rights  of  mankind,  and  refufing  to  anfwer  super  en^ 
quirendis, 

I  could  here  put  the  Synod  in  mind  of  a  quedion  of 
this  nature,  which  came  before  the  church  of  Scotland, 

in  profefFor  S 's  procefs.     He  refufed  to  anfwer  fome 

queries  put  to  him  by  the  Prefbytery  of  Glafgow,  Al- 
though they  arofe  from,  and  were  founded  upon,  fome 
writings  given  in  by  himfelf.  This  was  debated  before 
the  Affembly,  and  rejeded  by  them,  as  they  would  give 
no  encouragement  to  inquifitorial  proceedings. 

But,  fir,  nothing  can  demonftrate  more  clearly  the  ini- 
quity of  fuch  pradlices,  than  what  happened  not  long 
ago  in  this  very  Prefbytery,  which  is  but  little  known,  but 
which  I  am  able  to  bring  to  light.  And  after  I  have  nar- 
rated it,  I  leave  it  to  the  judgment  of  the  Synod,  whe- 
ther  they  will  countenance  with  their  authority  any  fimi. 

lar  practice  in  another  cafe.    When  Mr.  C was  pre- 

fented  to  the  abbey  church  of  Paifley,  there  were  fome 
rumors  raifed,  1  know  not  how,  as  if  he  had  been  guilty 
of  fome  pradices  tending  to  difaffedlion.  Thefe,  I 
may  fafely  fay,  were  not  difcouraged  by  the  Prefbytery, 
but  mentioned  again  and  again  in  their  minutes  ;  and 
though  the  candidate  infilled  much  upon  a  regular  judg- 
ment  upon  the  relevancy,  and  an  enquiry,  they  ftill  ihift- 
ed  both,  and  inftead  thereof  appointed  a  conference  with 
him.  And  what  think  you  were  the  quedions  they  put 
to  him  to  remove  the  fcandal  ? — Where  did  you  learn 
your  Englifh  ?  And  what  minifter  of  the  cftablifhed 
church  did  you  hear  ?  Where  did  you  learn  your  Latin  ? 
and  in  whofe  houfe  did  }'^u  ilay  ?  Did  you  ever  go  near 
the  cpifcopal  meeting-houfe  all  the  time  you  were  at  the 


3t64  Defence  in  the 

profeflion  of  dlvinUy  ?    Did  Mr.  H or  Mr.  R-«-, 

epifcopal  minifters,  recommend  you  to  C 's  family  I 

Did  your  father  attend  ordinances  in  the  parifh  church, 
where  he  lived  ?  Have  you  any  near  relations  that  are  re- 
lated to  the  minifters  of  this  church  ?  We  afk  this,  fay  the}^ 
that  we  may  know  the  difpofitions  of  your  friends. — What 
could  be  the  intention  of  thefe  queilions  ?  v;hat  could  be 
the  efFedl  of  their  being  anfwered,  one  way  or  the  other  ? 
Might  not  the  mofi  loyal  man  in  Britain,  be  brought  un- 
der an  odium  in  this  manner.  I  flatter  myfelf  I  am  of 
as  untainted,  unfufpe£led  loyalty,  as  any  man  in  the  Pref- 
bytery  of  Paifley ;  and  yet  I  could  not  affirm  that  I  had 
never  lodged  in  a  difafFedled  perfon's  houfe,  nor  had  the 
friendfhip  of  any  fuch ;  nor  that  I  never  came  near  the 
.epifcopal  meeting-houfe  all  the  time  I  wns  at  the  profef* 
fion  of  divinity.  And  did  not  thefe  gentlemen  know  that 
fuch  things  were  perfedlly  frivolous  and  irrelevant  ?  Yes^ 
fir,  they  knew  it  well ;  but  ftill  they  ferved  their  purpofe 
of  difobliging  that  people,  and  infufing  jealoufies.  And  fo 
they  myfteriouily  exprefs  themfelves  in  their  anfwer  to 
the  reafons  of  appeal,  that  there  are  fuch  unhappy  cir« 
cumitances  in  the  prefenter's  charadl:er,  as  do  not  recom- 
mend him  to  the  choice  of  this  people.  I  will  not  fay, 
fir,  that  all  I  have  above  reprefented  is  now  to  be  found 
in  their  regifter;  for  they  have  a  falutary  art  of  expunging 
from  their  minutes  any  thing  that  is  difhonorable  to  them- 
felves :  but  this  I  will  fay,  it  actually  happened,  and  a 
great  deal  more.  And  1  dare  fay,  if  there  be  any  epifco- 
palian  here  prefent,  he  will  inftantly  add  to  his  litany, 
From  fuch  Spanifh  prelbyterians,  good  Lord  deliver  us. 

Thus,  fir,  I  hope  I  have  made  it  appear,  that  the  Pref- 
bytery  of  Paifley  have  been  guilty  of  moft  irregular  pro- 
cedure, and  flagrant  injnftice  to  me,  in  paffing  a  fentence 
upon  my  charafter,  where  they  had  no  title  to  judge  me  ; 
in  finding  a  relevancy  without  examination  of  the  fubjedt, 
and  when  I  could  not  be  heard  in  my  defence ;  and  lafl:- 
ly,  in  appointing  an  inquifition  for  difcovering  the  fadt, 
diredtly  in  the  face  of  law  and  equity. 

I  am  forry  I  have  detained  the  Synod  fo  long.  Sir,  but 
could  not  polfibly  fpeak  to. this  involved,  perplexed  accu- 


Sy?iod  of  Glasgoiv,  26} 

fution  In  fhorter  time  ;  and  I  hope  the  importance  of  the 
caufe  to  me,  will  plead  for  fome  indulgence,  and  procure 
your  attention  for  a  very  few  minutes  longer,  and  then 
I  have  done.     Let  me,  Sir,  fpeak  plainly  out  ;  whatever 
may  be  pretended  about  the  interefi:  of  religion  being  con- 
cerned in  the  fate  of  this  pamphlet,  there  is  llrong  rea- 
fon  to  fufped:  that  it  is  the  credit  of  a  party  that  is  really  at 
Hake.     We  all  know  that  there  are  very  great  differences 
of   fentim,ent  among  us,  as  to  the  government  of  the 
church  ;  and  it  feems  to  be  my  misfortune,  to  be  of  op- 
pofite  principles  from  feveral  members  of  this  prefbytery, 
on  that  point.     This  is  the  caufe  of  my  being  charged 
with  ill-nature  and  unpeaceablenefs.     Tliey  themfelves. 
Sir,  will  not  pretend  to  give  any  other  iniknce  of  this 
temper;  and  I  confefsthat  as  I  reckon  the  Glory  of  God, 
and  the  edification  of  his  church  to  be  deeply  concerned 
in  the  caufe,  I  am  refolved  in  his  ftrength,  to  maintain 
and  fupport  it  to  the  utmoft  of  my  power,  fo  long  as  I  draw 
breath  ;  and  if  I  have  been  a  firebrand,  as  I  have  been 
fometimes  called,  I  wifh  I  could  anfvver  the  title,  and  burn 
their  pernicious  fchemes  even  to  alhes.     And,  Sir,  as  in 
no  other  cafe  have  I  ever  difcovered  any  keennefs  of  tem- 
per, fo  I  truft,  that  even  in  this,  I  have  neither  difcovered 
an  overbearing  pride,  or  perverfenefs  of  temper,  but  have 
fupported  what  I  cfteemed  to  be  truth,  with  refolution, 
but  without  violence.     I  cannot  pretend  to  the  polite  and 
courtly  ftyle,  in  the  fame  degree  with  fome  of  my  oppo- 
fers  ;  yet  have  I  endeavored  to  preferve  the  meeknefs  of 
a  Chriftian,  believing  that  the  wrath  of  man  worketh  not 
the  righteoufnefs  of  God.— Now,  Sir,  I  beg  every  wife  and 
honeft  man  of  the  other  fide  of  the  queflion  in  our  public 
diflPerences,  to  determine  ferioufly,  whether  he  will  approve 
of  a  prelbytery's  making  perfonal  oppofition,  and  becaufe 
a  man  is  not  in  GVQty  refpedt  of  their  way  of  thinking, 
barring  his  fettlement  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power ;  and 
whether  it  be  decent,  or  truly  moderate,  not  only  to  re- 
buke, fufpend  and  deprive  thofe  who  cannot  go  with  them  ; 
but  as  the  very  laft  effort  of  tyranny,  to  attempt  to  cafl 
out  any  who  are  but  fufpeded  of  debating  the  point  in 
writing. 
Vol.  IV.  LI 


266  Defence,  ^c. 

Farther,  I  beg  every  man  in  this  houfe,  to  lay  his  hand 
upon  his  heart,  and  lay  this  day,  in  his  judgment,  whether 
he  will,  in  order  to  reach  a  man  of  a  different  party  from 
hirnfelf,  approve  of  going  contrary  to  all  form  and  law, 
and  eilabli filing  a  precedent  of  inquifition.  However  fe- 
cure  fome  may  think  themfelves  and  their  party  at  pre- 
fent,  there  is  fuch  an  infiability  in  all  human  things,  that 
the  engines  which  they  prepare  againfl:  others,  may  be  di- 
reded  againO:  themfelves.  I  know  a  fear  of  this  kind  for 
the  mod  part  operates  but  weakly  upon  men's  minds  ; 
becaufe  the  cafes  that  may  afterwards  call  up,  cannot  be 
clearly  difcerned,  being  hidden  in  the  darknefs  of  futuri- 
ty ;  but,  Sir,  he  is  the  wifell  man,  that  ads  with  niofl 
prudence,  and  does  not  expofe  hirnfelf  or  his  friends  to 
the  law  of  retaliation.  This  I  fpeak  in  perfect  fecurity, 
as  to  myfelf,  for  if  the  church  ihall  find  that  interrogation 
is  a  proper  way  of  enquiring  into  facls,  it  will  but  open 
to  me  a  larger  field  of  information  ;  and  though  it  come  to 
the  real  merits  of  this  caufe,  the  trial  of  the  relevancy  of 
this  crime  objected  to  me  will  take  up  at  lead  feven  years 
in  proceffes  of  various  kinds. 

To  conclude.  Sir,  though  I  will  never  approve  of,  or 
give  my  confent  for  eftabliihing  a  pradlice  which  1  think 
unjuft  and  tyrannical  ;  yet  as  to  my  own  cafe,  I  will  even 
fubmit  to  be  interrogated  by  this  very  party  upon  this  jufl, 
this  felf-evidently  juft  condition,  that  the  minifters  of  that 
Prefbytery  do  fubmit  themfelves  to  be  interrogated  by  me 
in  turn,  on  their  doctrine — their  diligence  in  pafioral  duty 
— their  care  and  government  of  their  families — and  their 
perfonal  truth.  If  they  will  yield  to  this,  I  will  anfwer 
upon  oath,  either  infiantly,  or  upon  a  month's  preparation, 
not  only  as  to  this  point,  but  all  that  they  fhall  think  fit  to 
aflc,  as  to  my  character,  that  can  accufe  me,  from  my  birth 
this  day.  And  if  this  condition  be  refufed,  the  equity  of 
their  conduct  I  leave  to  the  judgment  of  this  venerable 
Synod. 


[    i^7     ] 


A  N 


HUMBLE    SUPPLICATION 

To  such  of  the  Nobility  and  Gentry  of  Scotland  as  are 
Elders  of  the  Churchy  and  members  of  the  General 
Assembly^ 

MUCH  HONORED, 

YOU  will  furely  be  fenfible  that  it  mud  have  been  a 
very  urgent  neceffity  that  has  compelled  a  man  of 
my  llation  and  profeffioif  to  become  an  author ;  efpecially 
when  I  addrefs  myfelf  to  you,  v/hofe  circumftances  fet  you 
at  fo  great  a  diftance  from  me,  and  may,  without  that 
candor  and  condefcenfion  on  your  part,  provoke  you  to 
contemn  that  advice  which  is  offered  voluntarily,  and 
from  fuch  a  hand.  And  indeed  there  is  nothing  of  which 
I  am  more  firmly  perfuaded,  than  that  the  affairs  of  the 
church  of  Scotland  are  drawing  fall  towards  a  crifis,  and 
that  a  little  time  will  determine  whether  Ihe  will  fmk  or 
fwim.  This  view  of  things  cannot  fail  to  conRrain  every 
one  who  hath  any  regard  to  her  profperity  and  welfare, 
of  which  number  I  hope  I  fhall  always  be,  fo  long  as  I 
draw  breath,  to  exert  himfelf  to  the  utmoll  for  her  fnp- 
port ;  and  alfo  to  fpread  the  alarm,  and  call  on  others  to 
aflid,  who  have  more  ability  and  opportunity  to  be  ufeful. 
On  this  occafion,  I  am  emboldened  to  addrefs  myfelf  to 
you,  not  only  as  by  your  quality  and  ftation,  you  are  able 


268  7o  the  Elders  of  the 

to  contribute  much  to  a  change  of  the  meafures  that  have 
lately  prevailed,  but  as  your  office  of  elders  in  the  church, 
may  be  prefumed  to  incline  you  to  be  ready  and  a(5live, 
for  her  profperity  and  fupport.  I  intended  once  to  have 
Hyled  you  brethren,  becaufe  1  alio  am  an  elder,  but  was 
afraid  of  giving  offence  by  too  forward  and  alTuming  an 
introduction  ;  however,  1  Hill  hope  for  fome  regard  in 
confequence  of  this  relation,  becaufe  I  have  ever  obferv- 
ed  that  a  likenefs  of  character,  a  participation  of  the  fame 
ofRce,  or  indeed  a  likenefs  in  almod  any  confiderable  cir- 
cumftance,  creates  a  kind  of  connexion,  and  produces  a 
fympathy  or  fellow-feeling  between  the  very  higheft  and 
lowell  that  fall  under  the  lame  denomination.  The  in- 
habitants of  the  fame  city,  though  very  different  in  their 
ilations,  reckon  themfelves  interefted  in  one  another. 
Thofe  of  the  fame  corporation  are  flill  more  clofely  connec- 
ted.  And  there  is  a  certain  fociety  comprehending  per- 
fons  of  very  diftant  characters  in  other  refpeds,  who  are 
faid  to  have  an  extraordinary  tendernefs  for  each  other's 
concerns.  The  fociety  I  mean  is  that  of  free-mafons  ;  for 
I  am  told  a  free-mafon,  though  a  king,  will  fliow  a  very 
great  afFettionfor  a  brother,  aUhouj^h  a  be^^gar,  or  at  lead 
the  next  thing  to  it,  if  there  be  no  real  beggars  in  that 
community. 

It  is  not  without  a  very  important  defign  that  I  have 
mentioned  this  ;  for  I  have  obferved  fome  of  late  have  en- 
deavored to  Hate  a  dillin6lion,  or  perhaps  I  may  call  it,  to 
fovv  fedition,  between  the  great  elders  of  our  church  and 
the  fmaller.  Many  who  are  not  wanting  in  an  humble, 
if  not  fervile  refpe6t  to  the  elders  that  furround  the  com- 
iniffioner's  throne  in  the  alTembly-houfe,  make  it  their 
bufmefs  to  throw  all  the  blame  of  the  confufion  that  at- 
tends the  fettlement  of  any  parifli,  upon  the  elders  of  low- 
er rank,  whom  I  may  call  (in  allufion  to  the  fimilitude  of 
free-mafons)  the  operative  members  of  the  fame  fociety. 
It  is  time,  therefore,  for  us  to  fpeakfor  ourfelves,  and  par- 
ticularly to  thofe  from  whom,  becaufe  of  our  relation  to, 
thenijof  v;hich  1  again  boa(l,  we  may  confidently  expe6t 
a  fair  and  impartial  hearing. 

One  other  ground  of  encouragement  I  haVe  in  my  pre- 
fent  reprefentation,  viz.  that  many  or  moll  of  our  honorable 


Church  of  Scotland.  269 

elders  are  bred  to  the  law.  Now,  I  find  in  the  hiflory  of 
the  gofpel,  that  it  was  a  lawyer  that  took  care  of  the  body 
of  our  blelled  Saviour,  after  it  was  crucified  at  the  inftiga- 
tioii  of  the  priefts.  This  is  a  paffage  recorded  by  all  the 
four  evangelills ;  and  I  hope  one  effed  of  its  having  a 
place  in  the  bible,  will  be  the  llirring  up  fuch  of  our  law- 
yers as  have  a  ihire  in  the  management  of  public  affairs, 
to  refcue  the  church,  which  is  Chrift's  myfiical  body,  from 
the  tyrannical  impofitions  of  churchmen  in  power. 

I  Have  been  confidering  with  myfelf,  whether  I  ought 
not  to  endeavor  to  raife  my  llyle  a  little,  when  fpeaking 
to  your  honors,  above  what  was  either  neceflary  or  proper 
when  fpeaking  to  thofe  of  a  lower  rank  and  weeker  capa- 
city.   But  upon  mature  deliberation,  I  am  refolved  to  con- 
tinue in  my  old  plain  way,  becaufe  it  is  probable  I  fhall 
acquit  myfelf  better  in  that  than  in  any  other.     I  have  of- 
ten obferved,  that  when  a  countryman  is  called,  upon  bu- 
fmefs,  to  fpeak  to  thofe  of  high  rank,  if  he  behaves  in  a 
quiet  way,  makes  as  few  motions  as  poflible,  and  fpeaks 
with  fimplicity,  he  paffes  very  well ;  but  if  he  begins  to 
fcrape  with  his  right  foot,  and  to  imitate  the  manners  of 
his  betters,  he  expofes  himfelf  to  their  derifion.     Should 
it  happen  that  fuch  a  man,  upon  his  going  out,  hears  a 
great  loud  laugh  in  the  company  he  hath  left,  it  is  my 
opinion  he  ougut  to  conclude  they  are  making  a  jefl:  of  his 
ridiculous  behavior  ;  and  if  he  were  permitted  to  return 
back,  it  is  probable  he  would  find  one  or  two  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  room  mimicking  his  geflures  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  rell :  for  there  is  not  a  more  refined  pleafure 
to  thofe  in  high  life  (efpecially  the  ladies)  than  aping  and 
deriding  the  manners  of  their  inferiors.     Nay,  the  fame 
difpofition  is  to  be  found  in  all  ranks  towards  fuch  as  are 
below  them.     Even  we  tradefmcn  and  merchants  have 
learned  to  fpeak  with  conteaipt  of  a  law-lived  fellow,  by 
which  we  mean  one  in  lower  life  than  our  own.     This 
hath  determined  me  (as  I  faid)  to  aim  at  nothing  but  plain- 
nefs  of  fpeaking.     And  it  is  very  poflible  it  may  happen 
ill  this,  as  in  my  former  treatife,  that  to  fome  I  fliall  be 
found  more  plain  than  pleafant. 


^7^  51?  the  Elders  of  the 

The  firft  point  I  am  to  apply  to  you  upon,  to  which  I 
humbly  intreat  your  ferious  attention,  is  the  manner  of 
making  fettlements  of  miniflers  in  the  feveral  parifhes 
throughout  this  church.  It  is  not  unknown  to  you,  that 
this  thing  hath  caufed  a  great  deal  of  confufion  in  feveral 
corners  of  the  country  ;  that  a  great  part  of  the  people  have, 
on  that  very  account,  feparated  from  the  eftabliflied 
church  ;  and  many  more  have  fallen  into  an  indifference 
about  religion,  and  given  over  attendance  upon  public 
inIlrii6lion  altogether.  Now  there  are  fome  things  upon 
this  fubje£l  that  I  mud  needs  take  for  granted  ;  becaufe  I 
cannot  find  any  thing  more  evidently  true  than  they  are 
in  themfelves  by  which  I  might  prove  them  ;  fuch  as  that 
the  in(lru6tion  of  a  nation  in  religion  is  a  matter  of  very 
great  importance,  and  that  you  all  believe  it  to  be  {o ;  that 
there  is  no  ground  to  hope  that  people  will  receive  benefit 
by  the  inftrudions  of  thofe  whom  they  hate  and  abhor, 
and  that  it  is  impoffible  they  can  receive  benefit  from 
thofe  inftrudions  which  they  will  not  hear.  There  is 
one  thing  more,  which  to  me  appears  as  evident  as  any 
of  them,  that  no  compulfion  ought  to  be  ufed  to  conftrain 
men's  choice  in  matters  of  religion.  From  thefe  I  think 
it  plainly  follows,  that  violent  fettlements,  that  is  to  fay, 
giving  a  man  a  ftipend,  with  a  charge  to  inftrud  and  go- 
vern the  people  within  a  certain  diftridl,  the  whole  of 
which  people  do  abfolutely  refufe  to  fuhjedt  themfelves  to 
his  miniftry,  are,  to  fay  the  lead,  abfolutely  unprofitable, 
and  the  money  that  is  bellowed  upon  the  perfon  fo  fettled, 
is  wholly  thrown  away. 

There  are  not  a  few  in  whofe  hearing  if  I  fhould  ex- 
prefs  myfelf  as  above,  they  would  immediately  reply,  All 
this  is  very  true,  and  we  are  forry  for  it ;  but  as  the  law 
now  Hands  with  regard  to  patronages,  how  can  it  be  help- 
ed ?  Now,  though  I  am  far  from  being  of  thefe  gentle- 
men's opinions,  that  this  matter  might  not  be  made  much 
better,  even  as  the  law  nov/  (lands,  if  the  church  were  {o 
difpofed  as  I  hope  (hortly  to  fliow,  yet  I  will  fuppofe  it 
for  a  little,  and  make  a  {t\v  refledions  upon  the  condu6t 
of  many  in  that  fuppofed  fituation. 

And  firft,  they  mud  forgive  me  if  I  fay  that  I  can  by 
no  means  believe  the  hardlhipof  the  law  of  patronage  lies 
very  heavy  upon  their  fpirits,or  at  leaftif  itdoesthey  fupport 


Cburch  of  Scotland.  271 

themfelves  under  it  with  furprifing  firmnefs,  and  difc over 
not  the  lead  outward  fign  of  uneafinefs.  Are  they  ever 
heard  to  complain  of  it,  unlefs  in  a  conftrained  manner, 
when  others  mention  it  before  them  ?  Do  they  not  lliew 
all  willingnefs  to  appoint  fuch  fettlements — to  enforce 
them,  to  defend  them  ?  Do  they  in  the  lead  difcounte- 
nance  fuch  probationers  as  accept  of  prefentures  uncon- 
ditionally, although  it  cannot  be  pretended  that  the  law 
obliges  any  man  to  this  ?  On  the  contrary,  are  not  thefe 
the  men  whom  ihey  love  and  delight  in,  whofe  charadlers 
they  celebrate  for  knowledge  and  underftanding,  and  for 
difmterefled  virtue  ? 

I  do  confefs  then  I  am  apt  to  doubt  the  fmcerity  of  thofe 
gentlemen,  when  they  profefs  their  forrow  for  the  hard- 
fhips  they  are  under  by  the  patronage  a6l ;  becaufe  fome 
apparent  tokens  of  their  concern  might  have  been  expedt- 
ed,  and  are  no  where  to  be  feen.  But  alas  !  why  am  I 
exprefling  my  fufpicions  what  is  our  fjtuation  ?  things 
are  changing  fofaft,  that  it  is  impoflible  to  write  even  fuch 
a  book  as  this  with  propriety,  and  fuited  to  the  times  ;  for 
even  fince  I  wrote  the  above  paragraph  I  have  received 
information  from  Edinburgh,  which  if  it  had  come  before 
it  was  written,  would  have  prevented  the  writing  of  it  ; 
and  even,  if  not  for  mangling  my  own  book,  I  would  yet 
expunge  it.  I  am  affured  that  laft  May  it  was  openly 
profefled  by  fome  in  the  aflembly,  that  prefentures  were 
of  all  others,  the  beft  way  of  fettling  preachers  ;  and 
that  it  was  xht proto pseudon  of  men  of  my  principles  to 
imagine  otherwife.  This  proto  pseudon  is  a  phrafe  which 
I  do  not  underftand,  and  therefore  mufi:  let  it  alone.  It 
may  be  a  phrafe  of  fome  of  the  learned  languages,  and  it 
may  be  of  no  language  at  all.  However  I  have  recorded 
it  with  great  fidelity,  as  I  am  informed  the  gentleman 
pronounced  it.  And  whatever  is  its  particular  fignifica- 
tion,  I  fuppofe  its  general  meaning  is,  that  patronages 
are  no  grievance,  but  a  blefling.  As  therefore,  it  is  pro- 
bablethat  your  lordfhips  and  honors  have  this  many  times 
affirmed  to  you,  it  is  necelTary  that  I  fhould  firft  attempt 
to  prove  what  I  thought  had  been  felf-evident,  that  we 
are  in  a  bad  fituation,  before  I  crave  your  alTiHange  for 
our  relief.  «-.  —  -r-  "-• 


[     273     ] 


SPEECH 

IN  THE 

GENERAL    ASSEMBLY, 
On  the  'transportation  of  Dr.  C ' — ---., 


Moderator, 

AS  it  IS  ufual  for  people  to  differ  atnioft  tipon  every 
fubjed,  I  am  not  furprifed  that  there  fhould  be  fome 
in  this  Aflembly,  who  ate  for  appointing,  that  this  tranf- 
portation  Ihall  take  place  ;  but  I  apprehend  it  is  really- 
ground  c^  furprife,  to  fee  the  way  in  which  they  urge  their 
Opinion  ;  they  do  not  fpeak  as  if  they  were  weighing  and 
deliberating  upon  the  caufe,  that  they  might  be  able  to  give 
a  juft  determination  ;  they  do  not  fpeak  as  if  clearly  fatis* 
fied  themfelves  ;  or  as  if  they  defired  to  convince  others, 
and  bring  them  o\^er  to  their  own  opinion  ;  but  they 
fpeak  in  an  overbearing  manner,  and  prefs  the  conclu- 
fion  with  a  vifible  difpleafure  at  the  time  fpent  upon  it, 
and  impatience  that  any  body  fliould  differ  from,  or  con- 
tradict them.  But  as  pofitivenefs  is  feldom  any  flrong 
prefumption  of  a  good  caufe,  io  I  think  it  is  very  much 
mifplaced  here  ;  and  as  the  quiet  and  comfort  of  a  large 
parilli  immediately,  and  the  whole  country  fide  more  re- 
motely, depends  upon  our  decifion,  I  hope  the  affembly 
Vol.  IV.  Mm 


274  On  the  Transportation 

will  not  give  it,  till  after  mature  deliberation  and  with  real 
impartiality, 

The  firft  thing,  no  doubt,  to  be  confidered,  is,  whether 
the  commiflion  have  exceeded  their  powers,  that  we  may- 
fee  whether  we  have  room  at  all  for  the  other  quellion, 
about  the  expediency  of  this  tranfportation ;  and  after  readi 
ing  the  words  of  the  aflembly's  remit,  I  cannot  help  be- 
ing of  opinion,  with  the  great  majority  of  the  members  of 
Prefbytery,  that  the  commiflion  had  no  power  to  deter- 
mine  this  caufe.  Is  it  not  plain  that  this  is  not  the  caufe 
which  was  before  the  laft  afiembly  ?  And  is  it  not  confefled 
on  all  hands,  that  the  commiflion  had  no  title  to  take  in 
any  caufes,  but  fuch  as  were  remitted  to  them  ?  Is  it  not 
plain,  that  the  words  in  any  after  queflion  relating  to  this 
fettlement,  are  not  to  be  found  in  it  ?  It  is  alfo  proper  to 
obferve,  from  thealmoft  conftant  ufe  of  thefe  words  in  the 
remits  of  the  alTembly,  that  they  do  not  fuppofe  that  a 
queflion  relating  to  the  fame  fettlement  with  another, 
makes  it  the  fame  caufe.  The  anfwer  made  to  this  is, 
that  it  was  a  miflake  or  omiflion  in  the  clerk  of  the  afliem- 
bly.  Admitting,  Sir,  that  this  had  been  the  cafe,  it  would 
be  extremely  wrong  and  dangerous,  to  approve  the  com- 
miflion in  paying  no  regard  to  that  legal  defeat,  but  taking 
in  the  caufe.  For  the  afl*embly  itfelf  to  make  free  with, 
and  defpife  eftabliflied  forms  of  procedure,  is  of  the  very 
worfl  confequence.  I  have  heard  fome  honorable  mem- 
bers, eminently  flailed  in  the  law,  aflirm,  that  for  a  court 
to  defpife  even  its  own  forms,  is  to  make  way  for  the  ad- 
miflion  of  many  inflances  of  great  and  real  injuflice.  But 
for  the  commiflTion,  which  is  a  delegated  court,  fo  far  to 
come  over  form,  as  to  take  in  a  caufe  not  remitted  to  them, 
is  a  bold  tranfgreflfion  with  a  witnefs  :  and  if  allowed,  mull 
be  attended  with  coniequences,  which  it  is  impoflible  to 
forefee,  but  can  fcarce  be  imagined  worfe,  than  they  really 
will  be  an  efle^l 

But  Sir,  why  fliould  any  fay  this  was  either  an  omiflTion 
in  the  clerks,  or  an  overfight  in  the  lafl  aflembly.  I  am 
fure  for  my  part,  I  think  they  would  have  done  wrong 
had  they  done  it  in  any  other  way.  What  is  the  rea- 
fon  of  this  claufe,  (or  any  after  queflion)  when  it  is  inferted. 


ofDr,  C :  275 

It  Is  after  the  part  of  the  caufe  is  decided,  to  prevent  con- 
tentious people  to  protradl  a  fettlement,  by  foolifh  and  fri. 
volous  appeals  upon  every  little  interloquitur  orrefolution^ 
of  a  preib3^tery,   in  carrying  it   into  execution.     But  in 
this  cafe,  neither  all  the  parties,  nor  the  principal  part  of 
the  caufe  itfelf,  was  before  the  afiembly  at  all ;  and  I  dare 
fay,  we  may  all  remember  to  have  heard  it  given  as  the 
opinion  of  the  mod  judicious  members  of  this  church,  that 
it  is  a  very  wrong  meafure  to  refer  any  caufe  of  moment 
to  the  commifTion,  that  hath  not  been  in  a  good  meafure 
heard  and  underftood  by  the  aflembly  itfelf.     Moderator, 
I  beg  leave  further  to  fay,  that  I  hope  this  afTembly  will  not 
authorife  the  commiffion  in  making  a  long  arm,  to  take  in 
caufes  without  fufficient  powers,  becaufe  the  commiffion  is 
certainly  the  moil  unhappily  conflituted  court  of  any  in  this 
church.     I  fay  this  without  intending,  and  I  hope  without 
giving  ofFence  to  any  body  ;  for  fuppofing  human  nature 
in  us  to  be  juft  what  it  is  in  other  people,  the  members 
of  the  commiffion  being  fo  numerous,  and  fpread  over  all 
Scotland,  few  of  them  attend  voluntarily,  and  it  is  the  ea- 
fieft  thing  in  the  world  for  interefled  perfons  to  bring  up 
a  number  of  a  particular  way  of  thinking,  and  they  may 
carry  any  caufe  whatever. 

Thus,  Sir,  it  appears  that  the  fentence  of  the   commif- 
fion has  plainly  exceeded  their  powers  in  fome  meafure, 
even  by  the  confeffion  of  the  friends  of  this  tranfportation. 
Let  us  confider  it  a  little  in  itfelf,  and  fee  if  it  is  like  to  be 
fo  great  a  benefit,  or  fo  great  an  honor  to  this  church,  as 
that  we  fhould  either  forgive  the  commiffion  the  encroach- 
ment they  have  been  guilty  of,  or  fhould  how  do  ourfelves, 
what  they  have  formerly  done  in  a  precipitate  and  irregu- 
lar manner.     Upon  this  branch  of  the   fubjedl,  I   am 
very  much  at  a  lofs,  not  what  to  fay,  if  every  thing  were 
to  be  brought  out  that  might  be  urged  againft  it,  but  to 
bring  the  argument  within  fome  compafs,  and  chiefly  in- 
deed to  difcover  fome  hope  of  fuccefs  by   reafoning  from 
fome   common  principles,  on  which  we  fhall  generally 
agree. 

Moderator,  I  take  this  opportunity  of  declaring  before 
this  afTsraLbly,  that  I  have  always  had  the  deepeft  fenfe  of 


27^  On  the  Transportation 

the  dilhonor  and  lofs  of  authority  which  this  church  has 
fufFered,  and  what  indeed  is  infinitely  more,  the  injur)r 
which  the  fouls  of  men  have  fufFered,  by  many  fettlements 
in  which  we  have  ordained  a  paflor  without  a  people ;  at 
the  fame  time,  I  am  fenfible  that  many  worthy  men  and 
faithful  minifters,  look  upon  themfelves  as  under  a  ne- 
ceflity  in  fome  fuch  cafes  from  the  law  of  patronage  ;  and 
I  am  afraid  many  from  a  habit  of  doing  this  where  there 
is  neceflity,  are  unwilling  to  come  out  of  the  fame  tra6t, 
and  continue  to  do  it,  when  there  is  no  neceflity  at  all. 
Moderator,  I  defire  it  may  be  obferved  that  I  do  not  be- 
lieve, and  I  know  nobody  fo  foolifli  as  t®  believe,  what  is 
commonly  imputed  to  us,  that  any  Chriftian  as  fuch,  has 
a  right  to  call  a  mini'fter  on  an  eilabiilhment ;  we  know 
that  nobody  has  any  right  to  call  a  minifler  on  an  eftablilh- 
ment,  excepting  thofe  to  whom  the  law  gives  it ;  neither 
would  I  contend  that  every  man  ought  to  have  a  right, 
though  we  had  it  in  our  power,  to  make  laws  upon  that 
fubjedl,  fmce  this  feeming  equality  would  be  a  vile  inequa- 
lity. But,  Sir,  I  would  choofe  to  form  my  judgment 
upon  a  few  principles,  in  which  I  fhould  think,  hardly 
any  in  this  affembly  would  difagree.  Has  not  every  man 
a  natural  right,  well  fecured  to  him  in  this  happy  ifland^ 
to  judge  for  himfelf  in  matters  of  religion,  and  in  fadt  to 
adhere  to  any  minifler  he  pleafes  ?  Is  not  the  legal  llipend 
intended  to  provide  a  fufficient  and  ufeful  paflor  to  the 
people  within  the  bounds  of  a  certain  parifli  ?  can  he  be 
of  much  fervicetothem,ifhe  be  upon  ill  terms  with  them? 
or  can  he  do  them  any  at  all,  if  they  will  not  hear  him  ? 
Does  any  body  defire  to  compel  them  by  penal  or  eccle- 
fiaflical  laws  to  hear  him  :  or  would  fuch  forced  religion 
be  of  any  worth  ?  Is  not  then  the  legal  encouragement 
unhappily  loft  and  mifapplied  by  fomebody's  fault,  when 
a  minifler  is  fettled  to  whom  nobody  will  adhere  ?  Now, 
Sir,  the  inference  that  I  would  draw  from  thefe  princi- 
ples is  no  more  than  this,  that  decency  and  our  indifpen- 
fable  duty  as  a  church  court,  requires  us  to  make  no  fuch 
fettlements  but  with  regret,  and  never  without  a  real  ne- 
eeifity ;  apd  the  caufe  we  have  now  before  us,  is  one  in 


efBr.  C ^.  277 

which  no  fuch  necefTity  exids.  It  is  a  tranfportation,  Sir, 
the  expediency  of  which  we  are  to  judge  of  and  the  per  Ion 
concerned  is  not  only  bound  in  duty,  but  can  be  eafily 
compelled  by  law,  to  fubmit  to  our  decifion.  The  great 
argument  that  always  has  been  ufed  againft  this  or  the 
like  reafoning,  has  been  brought  out  in  this  caufe,  that  the 
people  were  unreafonable  and  prejudiced,  and  have  been 
Sirred  up  by  evil-minded  perfons.  This  argument,  Sir, 
is  fo  old  and  dale,  that  I  am  furprifed  people  are  not  aflia- 
med  of  it,  and  that  the  ingenuity  of  the  lawyers  has  not 
been  able  to  invent  another,  that  fliall  have  the  advan- 
tage of  being  new.  How  often  have  we  heard  from  this 
bar,  this  parifh  would  have  been  agreeably  and  peacea- 
bly fettled,  but  very  early  a  combination  was  formed — 
This  is  all  in  all,  the  reft  follows  of  courfe.  I  am  perfuad- 
ed.  Sir,  from  the  certain  knowledge  of  many  particular 
inftances,  in  which  this  was  alleged,  that  in  nine  cafes  of 
ten  the  allegation  is  falfe.  One  perfon  in  a  parifh  or 
country  fide  may  be  adlive,  and  it  may  be  faid  with  plaufi* 
bility,  that  he  is  the  main  fpring  of  the  oppofition.  Sir,  it 
is  very  eafy  to  lead  a  people  according  to  their  own  in- 
clinations ;  but  it  is  not  fo  eafy  as  many  feem  to  fuppofe, 
to  change  their  inclinations  and  diredl  their  choice.  In 
the  mean  time,  it  is  always  forgotten  that  the  argument  is 
founded  not  upon  the  caufe  or  occafion,  but  upon  the  re- 
ality of  the  averfion  of  the  people  to  the  miniller. 

Moderator,  an  argument  that  is  made  ufe  of  to  perfuade 
us  to  order  this  tranfportation,  is,  that  if  it  fliould  be  re- 
fufed,  it  would  encourage  the  people  to  refill  in  other  cafes. 
I  am  afraid.  Sir,  that  the  tame  fubmillion  which  indeed  is 
fall  approaching,  and  which  many  feem  fo  ardently  to  de- 
fire,  can  never  take  place,  till  there  is  a  total  indillerence 
about  religion  among  all  the  members  of  the  ellablilhed 
church  ;  take  our  neighbor  country  of  England,  as  an  ex^ 
ample  of  that  defirable  peace.  But  if  this  argument  be 
laid  as  it  ought  to  be,  that  people  ihould  not  be  headftrong 
and  unreafonable,  it  operates  plainly  the  contrary  way  ; 
for  there  is  nothing  whatever  that  would  give  us  fo  much 
weight  and  influence  with  the  people,  as  thatvvc  fliow  a 
proper  teiTdernefs  to  them,  as  we  have  opportunit}'.     If 


^yS  On  the  Transport  a  UQH 

we  do  not  opprefs  them,  when  we  have  it  in  our  power  to 
relieve  them,  we  may  expeft  to  have  fome  influence  over 
them,twhen  we  are  (Iraitened  and  diftreft  ourfelves. 

Befides,  Sir,  on  this  fubjedl  of  the  prejudices  of  the  peo- 
ple, this  pretence  is  carried  a  mod  unreafonable  and  ex- 
travagant length,  and  nothing  but  the  prejudice  in  them- 
felves,  could  make  men  fpeak  in  fuch  a  flile.  Many  will 
»eeds  have  it  to  be  prejudice  and  groundlels  prejudice  in 
a  people,  if  they  do  not  fall  in  with  a  man  to  be  their  ml- 
niiler,  againfl  whofe  life  and  do6\rine  they  cannot  bring 
any  legal  objedion.  Alas,  Sir,  all  fuch  things  are  matters 
of  eleftion  and  choice,  and  not  of  legal  proof.  In  illuftra- 
tion  of  the  people's  cafe,  there  is  a  very  good  example  gi- 
ven, that  a  man  would  have  juft  caufe  of  complaint  if  you 
fhould  force  a  phyfician  upon  him  of  whofe  fkill  he  had  no 
opinion,  though  he  could  not  prove  him  infufEcient  beforis,. 
the  faculty. 

But,  Sir,  as  it  would  be  wrong  to  attribute  oppofition  to 
a  minifter's  fettlement  in  all  cafes  togroundlefs  prejudice, 
1  am  forry  to  fay  it,  but  I  am  obliged  in  juftice  to  fay  it,  we 
have  very  little  reafon  to  do  fo  in  the  prefent  cafe.  Even 
in  the  cafe  of  a  probationer,  when  he  abfolutely  adheres 
to  a  prefentation,  notwithflanding  the  greateft  oppofition 
from  the  people,  it  is  but  a  forry  mark  of  love  to  fouls, 
and  of  that  felf-denial  which  every  Chridian  (hould  con- 
tinually maintain.  Many  things  however  may  be  faid  in 
favor  of  a  probationer  ;  yet.  Sir,  for  a  fettled  minifter  not 
only  to  a(St  this  part,  but  to  excel  all  that  ever  were  before 
him  in  a  bold  and  infolent  contempt  of  the  people,  as 
plainly  appears  to  be  Dr.  C 's  cafe,  is  fuch  a  con- 
duct, that  I  Ihall  have  a  worfe  opinion  of  this  affembly 
than  I  have  at  prefent,  if  they  do  not  openly  exprefs  their 
indignation  at  fuch  indecency  of  behaviour.  In  the  hif- 
tory  of  the  church  we  find  no  charaQer  more  odious,  or 
more  unclerical,  if  I  may  fpeak  fo,  than  ambition  and  open 
folicitation  of  ecclefiallical  preferment.  Little  changes  iA 
forms.  Sir,  do  often  produce  at  lead  great  changes  in  man- 
ners  and  characters.  In  former  times  in  our  church,  the 
probationer  or  minifter  himfelf,  was  never  confidered  as  a 
party,  but  was  confidered  as  the  fubjeCl  concerning  which 


of  Dr.  C ^l  279 

that  procefs  was  carried  on  by  the  callers  or  referrees  ; 
but  now  they  have  been  for  fome  time  paft,  confidered  as 
parties — they  begin  to  allow  the  caufe  to  appear  at  the 
bar — to  urge  their  claim — to  confider  the  people  who  are 
to  be  their  charge  as  their  adverfaries,  and  to  treat  them 
with  contempt  and  difdain. 

I  confefs,  Sir,  I  am  not  able  to  imagine  what  are  the 
views  of  a  minifter  who  adls  in  this  manner.  It  is  not  I 
fear  eafy  to  anfwer,  that  he  refolves  to  change  his  fkuation 
and  take  upon  him  that  office,  from  fincere  regard  to  the 
glory  of  God  and  love  to  fouls,  which  he  mull  profefs  at 
his  admiffion.  But  as  we  mull  be  tender  and  cautious  in 
judging  of  the  inward  motives  of  others,  I  fhall  leave  that 
to  him  who  judgeth  the  fecrets  of  all  hearts  ;  but  in  the 
meantime,  every  one  in  this  houfe  is  now  called  to  judge 
whether  it  would  be  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good  of 
mankind,  to  fuffer  him  to  execute  his  intention.  Let  it 
be  confidered  with  ferioufnefs.  Moderator,  it  is  not  only 
the  people  of  the  parifli,  or  thofe  of  lower  rank,  but  many 
of  all  nations  whom  we  lliall  offend,  in  the  proper  fenfe  of 
the  word,  if  we  order  this  fetdement.  They  are  led  by 
fuch  things  to  treat,  and  they  often  do  treat  with  derifion, 
a  miniller's  concern  for  his  ufefulnefs,  and  affirm  that  it  is 
no  more  than  a  defire  of  a  comfortable  benefice  and  falary 
for  life.  I  fhall  be  forry  to  fee  the  day,  when  by  refembling 
them  in  their  pradice,  we  Ihall  learn  from  England  toi 
leave  the  people  and  the  work  altogether  out  of  the  a6t, 
and  focall  our  charges  no  moxQ  parishes y  but  Ihings. 


(     28i      ) 


LETTER 


SfeNT     TO 


g  'G    O    T    L    A    N    D, 


FOR    THE 


SCOTS    MAGAZINE. 


1AM  informed  by  my  correfpondents  in  Scotland,  that 
ieveral  letters  have  been  publifhed  in  the  newfpapers 
there,  containing  the  mod  virulent  reflections  upon  me^ 
on  account  of  an  advertifement  by  J—-  P — — .,  merchant 
of  Glafgovv,  relating  to  the  fettlement  of  a  tradl  of  land 
in  Nova  Scotia^  in  which  he  mentions  my  being  concern- 
ed. One  or  two  of  thefe  papers  have  been  fent  me^  and 
contain  fo  many  miftakes  in  point  of  fa6t,  as  well  as  be- 
tray  fuch  ignorance  of  the  fabje(5l  they  attempt  to  treaty 
that  it  would  be  a  difgrace  for  any  man  to  enter  into  a  for- 
mal quarrel  with  fuch  opponents.  Were  I  in  Scotland 
at  this  time,  I  Ihould  think  it  a  very  great  departure  fromi 
prudence,  to  take  the  leaft  public  notice  of  thefe  invec- 
tives. Few  perfons  have  been  lefs  concerned  than  1  have 
been,  through  life,  to  contradict  falfe  accufations,  fromi 
an  opinion  which  I  formed  early,  and  which  has  been  con- 
firmed by  experience,  that  there  is  fcarcely  any  thing 
more  harmlefs  than  political  or  party  malice.  It  is  bed 
Vol.  IV.  Na 


282  Letter  sent  to  Scotland 

to  leave  it  to  itfelf;  oppofition  and  contradidlion  are  the 
only  means  of  giving  it  life  and  duration. 

But  as  I  am  now  at  fo  great  a  diftance,  and  the  fubjeft 
of  th2  fcandal  is  what  pafles  in  America,  fo  that  impartial 
perfons  in  general,  may  be  lefs  able  to  judge  of  the  pro- 
bability of  fadls,  and  cannot  have  proper  opportunities  of 
making  a  complete  enquiry,  J  think  it  neceflary  to  Hate 
this  matter  with  all  the  perfpicuity  and  brevity  of  which 
I  am  capable.  The  accufation,  I  think,  may  be  redu- 
ced to  the  following  argument — Migrations  from  Britain 
to  America,  are  not  only  hurtful,  but  tend  10  the  ruin  of 
that  kingdom ;  therefore,  J.  W.  by  inviting  people  to 
leave  Scotland,  and  fettle  in  America,  is  an  enemy  to  his 
country. 

It  will  not  be  improper  to  mention  in  the  entry,  that 
my  having  any  concern  in  fUch  an  extenfive  undertaking, 
was  wholly  accidental  and  unexpeded.  1  was  invited 
and  prelfed  to  it,  from  a  motive  that  was  not  at  all  con- 
cealed, that  it  would  give  the  people  who  intended  to  come 
out,  greater  confidence  that  they  fliould  meet  with  fair 
treatment.  This  very  reafori  induced  me  to  confent ;  and 
that  I  might  the  more  effedually  anfwer  that  purpofe,  one 
of  the  exprefs  conditions  of  my  joining  with  the  compa- 
ny was,  that  no  land  fhould  be  fold  dearer  to  any  coming 
from  Scotland,"^  than  I  fhould  diredl.  This  was  the  more 
neceflary,  that  either  through  miftake,  and  the  power  of 
European  ideas,  or  through  mifguided  avarice,  fome  ad- 
vertifementshad  been  publifhed  in  the  Scots  new fpapers, 
which  would  not  appear  furprifing  to  perfons  born  and 
educated  in  Scotland,  but  which  are  infinitely  ridiculous  to 
one  acquainted  with  American  affairs.  In  particular, 
one  I  cut  out  of  a  Glafgow  newfpaper,  and  fent  home, 
relating  to  Newfoundland,  where  perfons  were  invited  to 
go  to  make  their  fortunes,  by  renting  each  family  thirty 
acres  of  land,  at  the  eafy  rent  of  fix-pence  llerling  at  firfl, 
and  gradually  rifing  till  it  came  to  two  fhillings  yearly  for 
ever.  Now  how  abfurd  is  this,  when  in  many  places 
you  can  buy  the  fee  fimple  of  land  for  the  fame  or  lefs  mo- 
ney than  is  here  aflced  for  rent  ?  Befides,  how  fhall  thirty 
acres  of  land  maintain  any  family,  in  a  place  where  land 
is  fo  cheap,  and  labor  fo  dear  ? 


for  the  Scots  Magazine,  283 

I  have  heard  it  given  as  a  reafon  for  thefe  enfnaring 
propofals,  that  people  in  Britain  will  not  believe  that  land 
is  good  for  any  thing,  if  you  offer  it  for  a  few  {hillings  per 
acre  in  fee  fimple.  But  the  people  in  Britain  (liould  be 
told,  that  the  value  of  land  docs  not  depend  upon  its  qua- 
lity, unlefs  in  a  very  fmall  degree — It  depends  upon  its 
fituation,  diftance  from  other  fettlements,  and  many  cir- 
cumftances  that  need  not  be  mentioned.  It  is  a  matter 
now  as  fully  afcertained,  as  univerfal  uncontradi6ted  tef- 
timony  can  make  it,  that  the  back  land  in  America,  is  ia 
general  better  than  that  along  the  (hore,  though  very  dif- 
ferent in  value  ;  becaufe  the  one  is  full  of  trees  and  wild 
beads,  and  the  other  is  full  of  houfes,  fields  and  orchards. 
One  would  think  that  this  matter  might  be  well  enough 
underllood  by  this  time.  When  a  new  fettlement  is  ma- 
king, efpecially  if  one  family  or  one  company  have  a  very 
large  tradl,  they  will  fell  it  very  cheap ;  and  if  they  are  ur- 
gent to  forward  the  fettlement,  they  will  give  it  to  one  or 
two  families  at  firll  for  nothing  at  all ;  and  their  profit  does 
not  arife  from  the  price  paid  by  the  firll  purchafers,  but 
from  the  profped  of  fpeedily  raifing  the  value  of  what  re- 
mains.    Any  man  that  can  think,  may  underftand  this 

from  J — P 's  advertifement.     He  propofes  to  fell  to 

the  firft  families,  at  fix- pence  fterling  an  acre.   What  pro- 
fit could  he  make  of  that  fmall  price  ?  Suppofing  he  fhould 
fell  20,000  acres,  the  whole  produce  would  be  but  five 
hundred  pounds,  to  be  divided  among  twelve  or  fourteen^ 
perfons.     The  plain  fad  is,  that  the  fum  is  not  at  all 
equivalent  to  the  trouble  and  expence  of  ferving  out  the. 
patent ;  therefore  the  profit  muft  be  future,  and  muft  arife 
wholly  from  the  profperity  of  the  fettlement.     I  believe  it 
is  a  rule  without  any  exception,  that  a  man's  duty  is  his 
intereft ;  but  there  is  no  cafe  whatever,  in  which  the  in- 
tereft  of  both  parties  is  more  manifellly  the  fame,  than  in 
felling  and  purchafing  new  lands  to  fettle  upon  ;  for  the. 
proprietors  can  receive  no  benefit,  but  from  the  fuccefs 
and  thriving  of  the  fettlers. 

New  land  may  be  bought  in  America  at  all  prices,  from^ 
fix.  pence  ftei  ling  an  acre,  to  forty  fliillings ;  and  thofe, 
who  would  judge  of  the  qualify  by  the  price,  would'  do 


3O4  Letter  sent  to  Scotland 

juft  like  one  who  fliguld  judge  that  an  acre  fold  for  a  houfa 
in  the  city,  muft  be  twenty  times  better  in  foil,  than  the 
fields  at  two  miles  diftance,  becaiife  it  istwenty  times  the 
price.'  The  priqe  of  land  in  America,  is  rifing  very  fall, 
and  fometimes  rifes  in  particular  places,  far  more  rapidly 
than  could  be  forefeen.  A  gentleman  who  has  a  large 
tra6l  in  New- York  government,  within  thefe  three  years, 
qff'ered  to  give  away  for  nothing,  feveral  thoufand  acres, 
at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  acres  to  each  family  of  aQual 
fettlers,  and  yet  ha^  given  away  none  ;  but  fuice  that  time 
has  fold  a  great  deal  at  foyr  fhillings  and  fix-pence  fler- 
ling,  and  now  will  fcarce  fell  any  at  that  pr^ce. 

Having  premifed  the  above,  I  would  intreat  the  reader's 
attention  to  the  following  remarks  : 

t.  There  is  very  little  gound  for  being  alarrned  at  the 
migrations  from  Britain  to  America.  The  numbers  who 
come  abroad,  never  have  been,  and  probably  never  will 
be,  of  any  confequence  to  the  population  of  the  country. 
Any  one  who  will  read  Montefquieu,  will  foon  be  fatisfied 
that  when  the  fpirit  and  principles  of  a  conftitution  are 
good,  occafional  migrations,  and  even  war,  famine  and 
peililence,  are  hardly  felt  after  a  little  time.  Tfhe  place 
of  thofe  who  are  removed  is  fpeedily  filled.  Two  or  three 
hundred  families  going  abroad,  makes  a  great  noife ;  but 
it  is  nothing  at  all  to  the  people  in  Great-Britain,  and  will 
but  make  way  for  the  fettlement  i^nd  provifion  of  thofe  who 
ilay  behind,  and  occafion  them  to  marry  and  multiply  the 
fafler.  It  is  probable,  that  the  people  in  Britain  imagine 
that  the  new  fettlemenis  in  America,  are  wholly  filled 
by  thole  who  come  from  Europe — It  is  far  otherwife. 
They  do  not  make  the  fortieth  part  in  any  new  fettlement. 
Such  tra61^  are  peopled  from  the  adjacent  fettlements  at 
iirll,  with  a  few  flranger  emigrants;  but  their  chief  in- 
creafe  is  from  natural  generation,  li  a  fettlement  is  good, 
a  few  families  will  fpeedily  make  a  cblony  ;  but  if  other- 
wife,  you  piay  fend  in  fliips  full  of  people  every  year,  and 
yet  it  will  come  to  nothing.  If  a  few  paflengers  coming 
out  from  Britain,  threaten  deflrudlion  to  that  populous 
country,  what  inllant  ruin  nuill  come  upon  the  fettlecj 
parts  of  New-EnglapdjNevv-YorkjNew-Jerfey,  andPenri- 


for  the  Scots  Magazine.  285 

fylvania,  from  whence  many  times  the  number  remove 
every  year  to  the  back  countries,  and  yet  it  has  not 
any  fenfible  efied,  either  on  the  price  of  land  or  the  num- 
ber of  the  people,  which  continue  to  increafe  notwithfland- 
ing.  America  is  certainly  exhibiting  at  this  time,  a 
fcene  that  is  new  in  the  hiflory  of  mankind.  It  increafes 
in  a  proportion  that  no  political  calculations  have  yet  been 
able  td  under  [land  or  lay  down  rules  for.  The  reafon  of 
this  I  take  to  be,  that  when  colonies  were  fent  out  in  an- 
cient times,  the  people  and  the  foil  were  fomevvhat  fimi- 
lar,  and  improved  by  flow  degrees  ;  but  in  America  we 
fee  a  wild,  but  a  noble  foil,  taken  pofleflion  of  by  all  the^ 
power,  wealth,  and  learning  of  Europe,  which  pufhes  on 
its  improvement,  with  a  rapidity  which  is  inconceivable. 

Another  thing  ought  not  to  be  omitted  ;  there  are  great 
numbers  of  people  that  go  from  America  to  Britain,  fo  that 
the  migration  is  not  all  one  way.  The  people  in  New- 
England  (an  old  fettlement)  fay  that  they  have  fent  twice 
.as  many  people  to  England,  as  ever  came  out  of  it  to  them. 
But  though  upon  the  whole,  while  this  country  is  but  yet 
fettling,  the  number  coming  out  Ihould  be  greater  ;  yet 
there  is  this  difference,  that  they  commonly  come  out 
poor,  and  return  rich.  This  is  very  much  to  the  advan- 
tage of  Britain,  if  wealth  and  an  increafed  value  of  land 
be  an  advantage.  The  truth  is  even  as  to  numbers,  though 
J  do  not  think  fo  many  people  go  from  America  to  Eu- 
rope, as  come  from  Europe  to  America  ;  yet  I  am  apt  to 
think,  that  there  is  little  difference  in  the  number  that  goes 
to,  or  comes  from  the  ifland  of  Great  Britain. 

2.  But  fuppoHng,  (what  I  do  not  believe)  that  inviting 
people  over  from  Scotland  to  America,  did  tend  in  fome 
degree  to  depopulate  that  part  of  the  world,  I  cannot 
Jbe  why  a  man  who  does  fo  fliould  for  that  reafon,  be  call- 
ed an  enemy  to  his  country.  What  is  it  for  a  man  to  be 
a  friend  to  his  country  ?  Is  it  to  willi  well  to  the  Hones  and 
the  earth,  or  the  people  that  inhabit  it  ?  Can  he  be  an  ene- 
my to  them,  by  pointing  out  to  fuch  of  them  as  are  poor 
or  oppreffed,  where  they  may  have  a  happy  and  plentiful 
provifion,  and  their  pofterity  be  multiplied  as  the  fand  of 
the  fea  ?  If  he  is  their  enemy  by  deceiving  them,  the  dif? 


286  Litter  se7it  to  Scotland 

covery  will  foon  be  made,  and  the  defign  will  be  detefted  ; 
or  rather  indeed,  the  difcovery  would  have  been  made 
long  ago,  as  the  intercourfe  between  Great  Britain  and 
America  has  been  of  fo  many  years  (landing.  Is  he  then 
the  enemy  of  thofe  who  flay  behind  ?  Not  furely  of  the 
multitude,  or  common  people,  for  there  will  be  but  more 
room  made  for  them,  and  the  more  eafy  accefs  to  a  com- 
fortable fubfillence.  It  remains  then,  that  he  mud  be  the 
enemy  of  the  landholders,  who  may  run  fome  rifl<:  of  being 
obliged  to  lower  their  rents.  But  is  this  a  liberal  way  of 
thinking,  to  fay  a  man  is  an  enemy  to  his  country,  while 
he  promotes  the  happinefs  of  the  great  body  of  the  people, 
with  a  fmall  diminution  of  the  inrerefl  of  an  handful  ? 
Allowing  therefore  this  argument  all  the  force  that  it  can 
pretend  to,  the  accufation  is  bafe  and  fcandalous,  arifing 
from  a  littlenefs  of  mind,  incapable  of  cherilhing  a  gene- 
rous love  of  mankind.  I  cannot  help  thinking  it  is  doing 
a  real  fervice  to  my  country,  when  I  Ihew  that  thofe  of 
them  who  find  it  difEcult  to  fubfift  on  the  foil  in  which 
they  were  born,  may  eafily  tranfport  themfelves  to  a  foil 
and  climate  vaflly  fuperior  to  that.  Sobriety  and  induftry 
cannot  fail  to  be  attended  by  independancc  and  abun- 
dance ;  neither  is  this  a  matter  that  can  be  doubted  by 
thofe  who  refledl  a  little  on  the  nature  of  things.  A  coun- 
try  where  land  is  cheap,  provifions  in  plenty,  and  as  a 
natural  confequence,  labor  is  dear,  mufl  be  favourable  to 
the  indudrious  huibandman.  His  chief  concern  ought  to 
be,  to  guard  againft  the  temptations  always  attendant  on 
fuch  a  (late,  viz,  lazinefs  and  intemperance.  I  will  take 
this  opportunity  alfo  to  obferve,  that  fuch  as  have  a  fmall 
independant  fortune  in  Britain,  if  they  have  a  tafte  for  ag- 
riculture, might  eafily  in  America,  live  upon  their  eftates 
as  well  as  thofe  in  Britain  who  have  a  yearly  revenue 
equal  to  their  whole  flock.  But  this  is  only  in  cafe  a  man 
lives  upon  his  lantl,  and  eats  the  fruit  of  it.  If  he  expefls 
that  he  may  live  idly  and  magnificently  in  a  city,  and  rent 
out  his  land  at  a  high  price,  he  will  find  himfelf  miferably 
mifiaken.  It  would  be  a  (Irange  country  indeed,  if  land 
might  be  bought  cheap,  and  rented  dear.  This  is  impofli- 
ble  ;  for  by  what  arguments  could  you  perfuade  a  man  to 


fir  the  Scots  Magazine,  287 

pay  a  high  rent  for  land,  when  by  going  a  liltle  back,  he 
may  have  the  property  to  hiniielf  for  a  fmall  matter. 

But  after  all,  I  can  never  admit  that  the  happinefs  of 
one  clafs  of  men  depends  upon  the  mlfery  of  another ;  or 
that  it  can  be  any  way  contrary  to  the  intered  of  the  land- 
holders in  Scotland,  that  a  few  who  find  thtmfelves  pinch- 
ed in  their  cireumllances,  or  who  have  an  a6\ire  and  en- 
terprifing  difpofition,  (liould  remove  to  America.  There 
are  always  ftrong  motives  to  hinder  a  man's  removal  from 
his  own  country,  and  it  cannot  be  fuppofed  that  any  con- 
fiderable  number  will  think  of  fuch  a  meafure,  iinlefs  they 
are  really  in  an  opprefled  flate.  If  this*  is  the  cafe,  frorai 
the  natural  courfe  of  things,  their  removal  will  be  no  in- 
jury to  any  body  ;  but  like  a  fwarm  of  bees  coming  off 
from  a  hive  that  is  too  full.  If  it  is  the  cafe  in  particular 
places,  from  the  iron  hand  of  tyranny,  I  fee  no  reafon  to 
offer  any  excufe  for  the  meritorious  att  of  affifling  them  to 
make  their  efcape.  Let  not  people  confine  themfelvesto 
narrow,  felfiQi  views.  No  part  of  Europe  has  received, 
or  does  now  receive  a  greater  acceffion  of  wealth,  from 
the  American  fettlements,  than  Great-Britain  ;  and  per- 
haps there  is  no  part  of  Great-Britain  where  the  rent  of 
land  has  rifen  higher  by  the  fame  means,  than  Scotland.  I 
fuppofe  every  gentleman  in  that  part  of  the  kingdom,  is 
well  pleafed  to  hear  that  feveral  thoufand  Palatines,  or  peo- 
ple from  the  north  of  Ireland  go  to  America  every  year — 
or  that  from  time  to  time,  fome  one  or  other,  who  went 
abroad  with  a  lancet  in  his  pocket,  is  coming  back  with  an 
opulent  eftate,  to  fettle  in  his  neighbourhood — or  that  no 
Wealthy  American  is  fatisfied,  till  he  has  lent  his  Ion  home, 
as  they  call  it,  to  fpend  from  two  or  three  hundreds,  to  as 
many  thoufands,  in  order  to  complete  his  education  by 
lludy,  or  end  his  life  by  gambling.  If  io,  why  fliould  he 
grudge  that  fome  of  his  poorer  countrymen  fhould  acquire 
a  comfortable  fettlement  there,  though  with  little  profpedt 
of  returning,  efpecially  as  it  is  impoffible  for  them  to  do 
any  thing  for  the  improvement  of  America,  that  will  not 
in  the  end  redound  to  the  advantage  of  Great-Britain. 

3.  I  have  only  further  to  fay,  tiiat  the  outcry  made  upon 
this  fubje-5t,  is  as  impolitic,  as  it  is  unjuft.     if  I  v/anted 


2S8'  Letters  sent  to  Scotland ' 

to  people  America  from  Scotland,  I  would  not  think  of 
employing  a  more  effedual  way,  than  exciting  or  hiring 
one  or  two  authors,  who  have  nothing  elfe  to  do,  to  write 
againft  it.  This  would  neceflarily  make  people  pay  at- 
tention to  the  fubjedl:,  and  feek  after  the  information  which 
they  would  odierwife  have  neglected.  At  the  fame  tinie, 
as  human  nature  in  general,  is  not  very  fond  of  reRraint, 
they  would  perhaps  be  the  more  difpofedto  remove  when 
they  found  their  landlords  anxious  that  they  fliould  flay.  I 
defu'e  it  may  be  particularly  obferved,  that  I  have  not  faid 
in  any  part  of  the  above  difcourfe,  or  do  I  believe  that 
there  is  any  hard-heartednefs  or  difpofition  to  opprefs  in 
the  landlords  of  Scodand,  more  than  in  any  other  country, 
nor  more  at  this  time  than  any  former  period.  The  rife 
of  lands  has  been  the  confequence  of  an  increafe  of  trade 
and  wealth,  and  the  difpofition  to  go  abroad  in  the  com- 
mon people,  at  prefent,  is  owing  to  the  fame  caufe  that 
made  clerks  and  fupercargoes  go  out,  for  thefe  fifty  years 
pad,  viz.  the  hope  of  bettering  their  circumllances.  It  is 
both  unjuft  and  impoflible  to  hinder  them,  if  they  be  fo 
minded  ;  and  for  the  reafons  given  above,  I  am  perfuaded 
it  will  not  be  the  leaft  injury  to  thofe  of  any  rank  whom 
they  leave  behind.  For  my  own  piirt,  my  interefl:  in  the 
matter  is  not  great ;  but  fmce  Providence  has  fent  me  to 
this  part  of  the  world,  and  fince  fo  much  honor  has  been 
done  me,  as  to  fuppofe  that  my  chara6ler  might  be  fome 
fecurity  againft  fraud  and  impofition,  I  Ihall  certainly  look 
upon  it  as  my  duty,  to  do  every  real  fervice  in  my  power, 
to  fuch  of  my  countrymen  as  fliall  fall  in  my  way,  and 
Ihall  either  defire  or  feem  to  need  my  affiftance. 

J.  w. 


C  ^89  ] 


IGNORANCE    of    the   BRITISH 


WITH  RESPECT  TO 


AMERICA. 


To  the  Editor  of  the  Scots  Magazine, 

Philadelphia^  May  28,  1 7  7 1 .' 
SIR, 

I  SAW  in  your  magazine  (Appendix  1770)  a  letter, 
figned  E.  R.  containing  ibme  remarks  upon,  and  a 
fevere  condemnation  of  Dr.  Lathrop's  fermon  at  Bofton, 
entitled,  ''  Innocent  Blood  crying  for  Vengeance."  Thefe 
remarks  are  introduced  with  obferving,  that  the  fynod  of 
New-York  and  Philadelphia  had  written  a  letter,  and 
claimed  relation  to  the  church  of  Scotland  ;  and  then 
fays  the  author,  'on  reading  of  which,  I  could  not  help 
'  thinking,  if  we  may  judge  of  the  American  church  from 

*  the  fample  here  given,  that  our  church  derives  no  great 

•  honor  from  her  weftern  progeny  ;  but  I  hope  the  flock 
'  is  better  than  the  fample.' 

Now,  fir,  as  to  this  author's  obfcrvations  on  Dr.  La» 
throp's  fe^mon,  I  fhall  fay  little  ;  becaufe  perhaps  it  can- 
not be  wholly  judiBed — yet,  if  all  circumflances  are  duly 
attended  to,  there  is  as  little  reafon  to  infult  or  glory  over 
the  people  of  Bodon,  as  there  was  to  excite  the  public 
refentment  againft  captain  P .      But  what  I  have 

Vol.  IV.  O  0 


tgo  jgnorcfnce  of  the  British 

only  in  view,  is  fliortly  to  expofe  the  exceflive  sbfurdrty 
arid  ignorance  of  bringing  in  the  fynotl  of  New-York  and 
Philadelphia  on  this  occafjon.  Were  the  author  of  this 
fermon  even  a  member  of  the  fynod,  or  any  way  con- 
nected with  it,  the  attempt  would  be  impertinent ;  becaufe 
no  church  can  be  fuppofed  anlwerable  tor  the  prudence  of 
every  particular  perfon  connc6ltd  with  her,  efpecially 
the  wifdom  or  propriety  of  their  publications.  Does  the 
church  of  Scotland  de fire  to  be  judged  by  this  rule  ?  I  Ibp- 
pofe  not.  Nor  will  I  be  guilty  of  lb  much  injuliice,  as  to 
judge  of  her  by  this  her  friend  and  advocate.  *  I  hope  (as 
'  he  fays)  the  ftock  is  better  than  the  I'ample.'     For, 

How  aftonifliing  muft  be  the  ignorance  of  that  gentle- 
man concerning  the  Britilh  dominions  in  America,  when 
he  fuppofes  the  miniliers  oi  Boflon  to  be  a  part  of  the  fy- 
nod of  New-York  and  Philadelphia  !  Did  the  fynod's 
letter  fay  any  fuch  thing  ?  Did  it  not  enumerate  the  pro- 
vinces in  which  their  members  refide  ?  Did  it  not  inform 
the  public,  that  it  is  but  feventy  years  fi nee  the  firll  prefby- 
tery  met  in  this  country  ?  But  give  me  leave  to  inform 
your  corrtfpondent,  that  it  is  about  one  hundred  and  for- 
ty  years  fince  the  people  of  New-England  eftablilhcd  a 
college  at  Cambridge  near  Boftoii  ;  that  their  churches 
are  upon  the  independent  plan,  and  are  in  the  four  New- 
England  provinces  above  five  hundred  in  number,  where- 
as the  whole  fynod  of  New- York  and  Philadelphia  con- 
tained, when  their  letter  was  written,  but  one  hundred 
and  twenty-feven  members,  and  does  not  now  amount 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  difclaim  connexion  with  the 
churches  of  New  England.  They  are  a  moll  refpedable 
part  of  the  church  of  Chrifl.  Nor  do  I  think  that  any  part 
of  the  Britifh  empire  is  at  this  day,  equal  to  them  for  real 
religion  and  found  morals.  My  fingle  purpofe  is  to  teach 
your  correlpondent,  arid  your  readers  in  general,  not  to 
vi/rite  upon  American  affairs,  unlefs  they  underftand 
them.  I  tell  you  nothmg  but  truth  when  I  fay,  that  being 
a  Briton,  I  have  often  bluflied  in  company,  to  hear  flo- 
ries  narrated  of  the  abfurd  and  ignorant  manner  in  which 
perfons  of  no  inconfiderable  llations  in  Britain,  have  talk- 


wub  Respect  to  America^  zgi 

ed  of  things  and  places  in  America.  We  have  heard  of 
a  gentleman  in  the  houfe  of  commons,  frequently  making 
mention  of  the  island  of  Pennfylvania  ;  and  ot  another 
who  in  the  }3rivy  comifel  infilled,  after  contradidlion,  on 
his  being  right  in  his  defcription  of  the  islajid  of  New- 
Jerfey. 

Bat  what  excels  every  thing  is  the  following  ftory,  which 
I  have  been  afTured  by  perfons  well  acquainted  with  it, 
was  a  fadl.  Sonie  years  ago,  a  Irigate  came  from  Eng- 
land with  difparches  for  many,  or  mod  of  the  governors  of 
provinces  in  North  America.  The  captain  had  orders  to 
go  firll  to  Njvv-York,  and  from  thence  to  proceed  to 
Geor^^ia,  the  Garolinas,  Virginia,  Maryland,  Pennfylva- 
nia, and  the  Jerfeys.  When  he  arrived  at  New-York, 
he  delivered  his  difpatches  there,  and  mentioned  his  or- 
ders. Ttie  governor  told  him,  if  you  will  give  me  the 
lettcs  for  the  governors  of  New- Jerfey  and  Pennlylvania, 
I  will  undertake  to  have  them  delivered  in  forty-eight 
hours;  but  if  you  take  the  rout  prefcribed  to  you,  per- 
haps they  will  not  receive  them  in  tiiree  months.  To 
which  the  captain  replied,  I  do  not  care  a  farthing  about 
the  matter  ;  1  wdl  ilick  to  my  inllrufiions. 

I  am,  fir,  your  mod  obedient, 
humble  fervant, 

X.  Y. 


C   293    ] 


REFLECTIONS 

On  the  present  State  of  PUBLIC  AFFAIRS,  and  on 
the  Duty  and  Interest  of  America  in  this  Important 
Crisis, 


THAT  the  prefent  is  an  important  sera  to  Anrjcrica, 
has  been  lb  often  repeated,  that  1  fuppofe  no  maa 
doubts  it,  and  I  hope  few  will  forget  it.  Yet,  however 
au^ull  the  idea,  it  is  capable  of  being  greatly  enlarged. 
It  will  be  an  iaiportant  gera  in  the  hidory  of  mankind. 
The  extent  of  this  country  is  fuch,  that  as  it  is  novv%  and 
probably  will  foon  be  fettled,  it  makes  no  inconfiderable 
part  of  the  globe  itfelf.  The  European  in  general,  but 
particularly  the  Britifli  fettlements  in  America,  have  for 
thefe  hundred  years  pail,  been  exhibiting  to  the  world  a 
fcene  differing  in  many  refpedls  from  what  it  ever  be- 
held. In  all  the  ancient  emigrations,  or  colonial  fettle- 
ments, the  number  was  fmall,  the  territory  very  limited, 
and  which  was  ilill  more,  the  people  and  the  foil  were  al- 
mo(l  alike  uncultivated  ;  and  therefore  both  proceeded  to 
improvement  by  very  (low  degrees.  But  in  Auterica 
we  fee  a  country  almoll  without  bounds,  new  and  un- 
touched, taken  poficffion  of  at  once  by  the  power,  the 
learning,  and  the  wealth  of  Europe. 

Hence  it  is  that  the  cultivation  and  the  population  of 
America  have  advanced  with  a  rapidity  next  to  miracu- 
lous, and  of  which  no  political  calculators  have  principles 
or  data  fuflicient  to  make  a  certain  judj;ment.  I  hold 
every  thing  that  has  been  faid  on  the  numbers  in  Ameri- 
ca to  be  good  for  nothing,  except  in  certain  places  where 
they  have  proceeded  on  adual  numeration.  When  writers 


29^  t  ticfiectiQns  m 

Hate,  that  the  inhabitants  in  America  double  themfelves 
in  twenty  or  twenty-five  years,  they  fpeak  by  giicTs,  and 
they  fay  nothing.  It  may  be  under  or  over  the  truih  in 
certain  places ;  but  there  are  others  in  which  they  be- 
come twenty  times  the  nnmber  in  I'even  years.  I  do  not 
know,  and  therefore  will  not  attecnpt  to  conjedlure,  how 
fad  mankind  may  multiply  in  a  country  that  is  in  the 
ihoil  favorable  flate  poffible,  both  in  itfelf,  and  for  receiv- 
ing an  acceffion  from  others  lefs  happily  circumftanced. 
What  is  more  certain,  as  well  as  of  more  importance  to 
obferve,  is,  that  the  Britifn  colonies  in  North  America, 
have  in  this  refpecl  exceeded  every  other  country  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

What  has  caufed  this  difference  ?  Does  the  climate  of 
Britain  naturally  produce  more  wifdom,  llrength  and  ac- 
tivity, than  that  of  France,  Spain  or  Portugal  ?  Surely 
not,  or  wo  to  America  itfelf;  for  the  bell  of  its  colonies 
are  in  the  climate  of  thefe  very  countries.  It  is  therefore 
without  doubt  owing  to  the  liberty  which  pervades  the 
Britidi  coniiitution,  and  came  with  the  colonills  to  this 
part  of  the  earth.  Monteiqaieu  has,  with  inimitable 
beauty,  fhewn  that  the  natural  caufes  of  population  or 
depopulation,  are  not  half  lb  powerful  as  the  moral  caufes  ; 
by  which  lad  he  means  the  date  of  fcciety,  the  form  of 
government,  and  the  manners  of  the  people.  War,  fa- 
mine and  pedilence  are  Icarcely  felt,  where  there  is  liber- 
ty and  equal  laws.  The  wound  made  by  thole  fore  judg- 
ments is  ipeedily  clofed  by  the  vigor  of  the  conditution  ; 
v/hereas,  in  a  more  dckly  frame,  a  trifling  fcratch  will 
rankle  and  produce  long  difeafe,  or  perhaps  terminate  in 
deatii.  We  need  go  no  further  than  our  own  country  to 
have  full  proof  of  the  force  of  liberty.  The  fouthern  co- 
lonies, blefled  as  they  are  with  a  fuperior  foil  and  more 
powerlul  fun,  are  yet  greatly  inferior  to  Pennfylvania 
and  New-England,  in  nuuibers,  drength,  and  value  of 
land  in  proportion  to  its  quantity.  The  matter  is  eafily 
folved.  The  conditutions  of  thefe  latter  colonies  are 
more  favorable  to  univerfal  indullry. 

But  with  all  the  difJerences  between  one  colony  and 
another,  America  in  general,  by  its   gradual  improve- 


Public  Affairs,  295 

ment,  not  long  ago  exhibited  a  fpe^tacle,  the  moft  delight- 
ful that  can  bii  conceivtd,  to  a  benevolent  and  contem- 
pldtive  mind.  A  country,  throwing  every  year  in  beauty 
and  fertility,  the  people  growing  in  numbers  and  wealth, 
arts  and  fciences  carefully  cultivated  and  conllantly  ad- 
vancing and  poirefling  fecurity  of  property  by  liberty  and 
equal  laws,  which  are  the  true  and  proj>er  fource  of  all 
the  relL  While  things  were  in  this  fituation,  Great-Bri- 
tain reaped  a  great,  unenvied,  and  ftill  increafmg  profit 
from  the  trade  of  the  colonies.  I  am  neither  fo  weak  as 
to  believe,  nor  fo  foolifh  as  to  affirm,  as  fome  did  in  the 
beginning  of  this  contell:,  that  the  colony  trade  was  the 
whole  fupport  of  a  majority  of  the  people  in  Great-Britain. 
How  could  any  perfon  of  reflection  fuppofe  that  the  fo- 
reign trade  of  three  millions  of  people,  could  be  the  chief 
fupport  of  eight  millions,  when  the  internal  trade  of  ihefe 
eight  millions  themfelves,  is  and  mull  be  the  fupport  of 
double  the  number  that  could  be  fupported  by  the  trade  of 
America,  befides  their  trade  to  every  other  part  of  the 
world  ?  Bat  our  trade  was  (till  of  great  importance  and 
value,  and  yielded  to  Great-Britain  yearly,  a  profit  vaftly 
fuperior  to  any  thing  they  could  reafonably  hope  to  draw 
from  taxes  and  impofitions,  although  they  had  been  fub- 
mitted  to  without  complaint. 

This  however  did  not  fatisfy  the  king,  miniftry  and 
parliament  of  Great  Britain.  They  formed  golden,  but 
miflaken  and  delufive  hopes  of  lightening  their  own  bur- 
dens by  levying  taxes  from  us.  They  formed  various 
plans,  and  attempted  various  meafures,  not  the  moll  pru- 
dent I  confefs,  for  carrying  their  purpofe  into  effed.  The 
ultimate  purpofe  itfelf  was  in  fome  degree  covered  at  firll, 
and  they  hoped  to  bring  it  about  by  flow  and  impercepti- 
ble fteps.  In  fome  inllances  the  impofition  was  in  itfelf 
of  little  confequence ;  as  appointing  the  colonies  to  fur- 
nifii  fait,  pepper  and  vinegar  to  the  troops.  But  the  lau- 
dable and  jealous  fpirit  of  liberty  was  alive  and  awake, 
and  hardly  faffered  any  of  them  to  pafs  unobferved  or  un- 
refilled.  Public  fpirited  writers  took  care  that  it  fliould 
not  fleep  ;  and  in  particular  the  celebrated  Pennfylvania 
Farmer's  Letters  were  of  fignal  fervice,  by  furnifhing  tho 


296  Reflections^  ^c. 

lovers  of  their  country  with  fa6ls,  and  illuftrating  the  rights 
and  privileges  which  it  was  their  duty  to  defend. 

The  lad  attempt  made  by  the  miniftry  in  the  way  of 
art  and  addreis,  was  repealing  the  a6l  laying  duties  on 
paper,  glafs,  and  painter's  colors,  and  leaving  a  Irnall 
duty  on  tea,  attended  with  fuch  circumftances,  that  the 
tea  Jliould  come  to  us  no  dearer,  but  perhaps  cheaper,  than 
before.  This  was  evidently  with  defign  that  we  might 
be  induced  to  let  it  pafs,  and  fo  the  claim  having  once  ta- 
ken  place,  might  be  carried  in  other  inilancesto  the  great- 
ell  height.  This  nianceuvre,  however,  did  not  elude  the 
vigilance  of  a  public  fpnited  people.  The  whole  colonies 
declared  their  refolution  never  to  receive  it.  — » 


L    297    j 


THOUGHTS 


ON 


AMERICAN    L  I  B  E  RT  t. 


THE  Congrefs  is,  properly  fpeaking,  the  reprefenta- 
tive  of  the  great  body  of  the  people  of  North  Ame- 
rica. Their  eIe£lion  is  for  a  particular  purpofe,  and  a 
particular  feafon  only  ;  it  is  quite  diilini^l  from  the  af- 
iemblies  of  the  feveral  provinces.  What  will  be  before 
them,  is  quite  different  from  what  was  or  could  be  in  the 
view  of  the  eledors,  when  the  alTemblies  are  chofen. 
Therefore  thofe  provinces  are  wrong,  who  committed  it 
to  the  alfembly  as  fuch,  to  fend  dele,9ates,  though  in  fome 
provinces,  fuch  as  BoHon  and  Virginia,  and  fome  others, 
the  unanimity  of  fenliment  is  fuch,  as  to  make  it  the 
fAine  thing  in  effect. 

It  is  at  leap,  extreniely  uncertain,  v/hether  it  could  be 
proper  or  {eSo.  for  the  Congrefs  to  fend  either  ambafladors, 
petition  or  addrefs,  direcliy  to  king  or  parliaitierit,  or  both. 
They  may  treat  them  as  a  difor(ierl3s  unconftiiutional 
meeting—- they  may  hold  their  meeting  itfelf  to  be  crimi- 
nal— they  may  find  fo  many  objjdions  in  point  of  legal 
form,  that  it  is  plainly  in  the  power  of  thofe  who  wifli  to  be 
able  to  ^o  it,  to  deaden  the  zeal  of  the  multitude  in  the 
colonres,  by  ambiguous,  dilatory,  frivolous  anlwers,  per- 
haps feverer  meafures.  It  is  certain  that  this  Congrefs  is 
different  from  any  regular  exertion,  in  the  accudomed 
forms  of  a  quiet,   approved,  fettled  conllitution.     It  i§  an 

Voj..  IV.  P  p 


^e;8  TJjczigbts  en 

interruption  or  fufpenfion  of  the  ufual  forms,  and  an  ap. 
peal  to  the  great  law  of  reafon,  the  iirfl  principlt-sof  the 
focial  union,  and  the  multitude  colledtively,  for  whofe 
benefit  all  the  particular  laws  and  cuflomsofa  conftituted 
frate,  are  fuppofed  to  have  been  originally  eftablifhed. 

There  is  not  the  lead  reafon  as  yet,  to  think  that  either 
the  king,  the  parliament,  or  even  the  people  of  Great- 
Britain,  have  been  able  to  ent^r  into  the  great  principles 
©f  univerfdl  liberty,  or  are  willing  to  hear  the  difcuflion  of 
the  point  af  right,  without  prejudice.  They  have  not  on* 
ly  taken  no  pains  to  convince  us  that  fubmiffion  to  their 
claim  is  confilleiit  ^v-itti  liberty  among  us,  but  it  is  doubt* 
ful  whether  they  txped  or  defire  we  ihould  be  convinced 
of  it.  It  feems  rather  that  they  mean  to  force  us  to  be  ab- 
folute  Haves,  knowing  ourfelves  to  be  fuch  by  the  hard  law 
of  necellicy.  If  this  is  not  their  meaning, ;.and  they  wifh  us 
to  believe  that  our  properties  and  lives  are  quite  fafe  ia 
the  abfolute  difpoi^l  of  the  Britifh  Parliament,  the  late 
afts  v^Mh  refpeit  to  B<)llon,  to  ruin  their  capital,  dellroy 
their  charter,  and  grant  the  foldiers  a  licence  to  murder 
them,  are  certainly  arguments  of  a  very  fingular  nature. 

Therefore  it  follows,  that  ihe  great  obji6of  the  approach, 
ing  Congrefs  fiiould  be  to  unite  the  colonies*  and  make 
them  as  one  body,  in  any  meafure  of  felf- defence,  to  affure 
the  people  of  Great-Britain  that  we  will  not  fubmit  volun- 
tarily, and  convince  them  that  it  would  be  either  impoffi- 
ble  or  unprofitable  for  them  to  compel  us  by  open  violence. 

For  this  purpofe,  the  following  refolutions  and  recom- 
mendations are  fabmitted  to  their  confideration  : — 

t.  To  profefs  as  all  the  provincial  and  county  rulers 
have  done,  our  loyalty  to  the  king,  and  our  backwardnefs 
to  break  our  connexion  with  Great-Britain,  if  we  are  not 
forced  by  their  unjufl  impofitions.  Here  it  may  not  be 
improper  to  compare  our  pall  condud  with  that  of  Great- 
Britain  itfelf,  and  perhaps  explicitly  to  profefs  our  detella- 
tion  of  the  virulent  and  infolent  abufe  of  his  majefly's 
perfon  and  family^  which  fo  many  have  been  guilty  of  in 
that  iflind. 

2.  To  declare,  not  only  that  we  efleem  the  claim  of 
the  Briti^i  parlidment  to  be  illegal  and  unconilitutional, 


'American  Liberty*  t^pj^ 

bat  that  we  are  firmly  determined  never  to  fabmit  to  It 
and  do  deliberately  prefer  war  with  all  its  horrors,  and 
even  extcnnination  itfelf  to  llivery,  rivettcd  on   us  and 
our  pollerity. 

3.  To  refolve  that  we  will  adhere  to  the  intereR  of  the 
whole  body,  and  that  no  colony  fhall  nuike  its  fcparate 
peace,  or  fro-n  the  hope  ofpirtial  dilliiidion,  leave  others  as 
the  vidims  of  miniiterial  ven-Teance,  but  that  we  will  con- 
tinue  united,  anJ  purfue  the  fame  meafures,  till  American 
liberty  is  fettled  on  a  folid  bdfis,  and  in  particular  till  the 
now  fufFerin^  colony  of  Maflachufetts  Bay  is  rcftorcd  to 
all  the  rights  of  wtiich  it  has  bren,  on  this  occafion,  unjull- 
2y  deprived. 

4.  That  a  non-importation  agreement,  which  has  been 
too  long  delayed,  fhould  be  entered  into  immediately,  and 
at  the  fame  time,  a  general  non-confamptive  agreement, 
as  to  all  Britifh  goods  at  leaft,  fhould  be  circulated  univer- 
fally  through  the  country,  and  take  place  immediately, 
that  thofe  who  have  retarded  the  non-importation  agree- 
ment, may  not  make  a  profit  to  themfelves  by  this  injury 
to  their  country. 

5.  That  fome  of  the  mofl  effectual  meafures  fhould  bs 
taken  to  promote,  not  only  induflry  in  general,  but  ma- 
nufadlures  in  particular  ;  fuch  as  granting  premiums  in 
different  colonies  for  manufactures  which  can  be  produced 
in  them  ;  appointing  public  markets  for  all  the  materials 
of  manufacture  ;  inviting  over  and  encouraging  able  ma- 
nufadurers  in  tvery  branch  ;  and  appointing  focieties  in 
every  great  city,  efpecially  in  principal  fea- ports,  to  receive 
fubfcriptions  for  diredling  and  encouraging  emigrants  who 
fhall  come  over  from  Europe,  whether  manufactures  or 
laborers,  and  publifhing  propofals  for  this  purpofe,  in  the 
Britifh  newfpapers. 

6.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  legiflature  of  every 
colony,  to  put  their  militia  upon  the  bell  footing  ;  and  to 
all  Americans  to  provide  themfelves  with  arms,  in  cafe  * 
of  a  war  with  the  Indians,  French  or  Roman  Catholics, 
or  in  cafe  they  fliould  be  reduced  to  the  hard  neceflity  of 
defending  themfelves  from  murder  and  affaflination. 


3o«3  Thoughts^  £i?^. 

7,  That  a  committee  fhould  be  appointed  to  draw  up 
an  earned  and  afFedlionate  addrefs  to  the  army  and  navy, 
putting  them  in  mind  of  their  charafter  as  Britons,  the 
reproach  which  they  will  bring  upon  themfclves,  and  the 
danger  to  which  they  will  be  expofed,  if  they  allow  them- 
fclves  to  be  the  inilruments  of  eiilldving  their  country. 

8.  Tnat  a  plan  of  union  ihould  be  laid  down  for  all 
the  colonics,  fo  that,  as  formerly,  they  may  correfpond 
and  afcertdin  iiow  they  (hall  effedualiy  co-operate  in  fucli 
nieafures  as  fhall  be  necclTary  to  their  common  defence. 


C     3ot     ] 


o:j  the 


CONTROVERSY 


ABOUT 


INDEPENDENCE, 


SIR, 

I  BEG  leave  by  your  affidance,  to  publlfh  a  few  thoughts 
upon  the  manner  of  condutling,  what  I  think  is  now 
called  the  independent  controverfy,  in  which  this  coun- 
try in  general  is  fo  greatly  interefled.  Every  one  knows 
that  when  the  claims  of  the  Bi  itifli  Parliament  were  open- 
ly made,  and  violently  enforced,  the  moll  precife  and  de- 
termined refolutions  were  entered  into,  and  publiflied  by 
every  colony,  every  county,  and  a) moll  every  townihip  or 
fmaller  diflridl,  that  they  would  not  fubmit  to  them.  This 
was  clearly  exprelTed  in  the  greateil  part  of  them,  and 
ought  to  be  underllood  as  the  implied  fcnfe  of  them  all, 
not  only  that  they  would  not  soon  or  easily^  but  that  they 
\vox\V\  ne^ver  on  any  eij cut,  fubmit  to  them.  For  my  own 
part,  Icoiiiefs,  1  would  never  have  figned  thefe  refolves  at 
iird,  nor  taken  up  arms  in  confequence  of  them  after- 
wards, if  I  had  not  been  lully  convinced,  as  I  am  (lill,  that 
acquiefcence  in  this  ufurpcrd  power,  wouJd  be  followed  by 
the  total  and  abfolute  ruin  of  the  colonies.  They  would 
have  been  no  better  than  tributary  Hates  to  a  kingdom  at  a 
great  diftance  from  them.     They  would  have  been  there-* 


302  On  the  Controversy 

fore,  as  has  been  the  cafe  with  all  dates  in  a  fimilar  fitua- 
tiod  from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  the  fervdiits  of  fer* 
vants  from  generation  to  generation.  For  this  reafon  I 
declare  it  to  have  been  my  meaning,  and  I  know  it  was 
the  meaning  of  thoufands  more,  that  though  we  earnellly 
wifhed  for  reconciliation  with  fafety  to  our  liberties,  yet 
wc  did  deliberately  prefer,  not  only  the  horrors  of  a  civil 
war,  not  only  the  danger  of  anarchy,  and  the  uncertainty 
of  a  new  fettlement,  bat  even  extermination  itfelf  to  fla- 
very,  rivetted  on  us  and  our  poflerity. 

The  moll  peaceable  means  were  firfl  ufed ;  but  no  re- 
Jaxation  could  be  obtained  :  one  arbitrarv  and  oppreffive 
a6t  followed  after  another;  they  deftroyedthe  property  of 
a  whole  capital — fubvertedto  its  very  foundation,  the  con- 
Hitutlon  and  government  of  a  whole  colony,  and  granted 
the  foldiers  a  liberty  oi  murdering  in  all  the  colonies.  I  ex- 
prefs  it  thus,  becaufe  they  were  not  to  be  called  to  account 
for  it  where  it  was  committed,  which  every  body  mull  al- 
low was  a  temporary,  and  undoubtedly,  in  ninety-nine  ca- 
fes of  an  hundred,  muft  have  ilTued  in  a  total  impunity.' 
There  is  one  circumflance  however  in  my  opinion,  much 
more  curious  than  all  the  reft.  The  reader  will  fay.  What 
can  this  be  ?  It  is  the  following,  which  1  beg  may  be  parti- 
cularly  attended  to  : — While  all  this  was  a  doing,  the  King 
in  his  fpeeches,  the  parliament  in  their  adls,  and  the  pec- 
pie  of  Great  Britain  in  their  addrefles,  never  failed  to  ex- 
tol  their  own  lenity.  I  do  not  infer  from  this,  that  the  King, 
Parliament  and  people  of  Great  Britain  are  all  barbarians 
aind  fdvages-^the  inference  is  unneceflary  and  unjufl :  But 
I  infer  the  mifery  of  the  people  of  America,  if  they  muft 
fubmit  in  ail  cases  %vba' soever,  to  the  decifions  of  a  body 
of  the  fons  of  Adam,  fo  dillant  from  thent,  and  who  have 
an  interefl  in  opprefiing  them.  It  has  been  my  opinion 
from  the  beginning,  that  we  did  not  carry  our  reafoning 
fully  home,  when  we  complained  of  an  arbitrary  prince, 
or  of  the  infolence,  cruelty  andobllinacy  of  Lord  North, 
Lord  Bute,  c^  Lord  Mansfield.  What  we  have  to  fear, 
and  what  we  have  now  to  grapple  with,  is  the  ignorance^ 
prejudice,  partiality  and  injullice  of  human  nature.  Nei- 
ther king  nor  miniilry,  could  have  done,  nor  durft  have 


about  Independence,  3  ©3 

attempted  what  we  have  fcen,  if  they  had  not  had  the  na- 
tion oil  their  (ide.  The  friends  of  America  in  England 
are  few  in  number,  and  contemptible  in  influence  ;  nor 
mud  I  omit,  that  even  of  thefe  few,  not  one,  till  very  late- 
ly, ever  reafoned  the  American  caufe  upon  its  proper 
principles,  or  viewed  it  in  its  proper  light. 

Petitions  on  petitions  have  l^etn  prefented  tokinpfand 
Parliament,  and  an   addrefs  fent  to  ihe  people  of  Great- 
Britain,  which  have  been  not  merely  fruitlel's,  but  treated 
with  the   hi^nefl   degree  of  difdain.     The  condii(^  of  the 
Britifh  miniflry  during  the   v/hole  of  this  conteft,  as  has 
been    often   obferved,   has    been  fuch,  as    to  irritate  the 
whole  people  of  i^iis  continLMit  to  the  highefl  degree,  and 
unite  them  together  by  tiie  firm  bond  o(  nectifity  and  com- 
mon interelh      In  this  refptrft  they  have  ferved  us  in  the 
moft  efiential  manner.      I  am  firmly  pcrfuaded,  that  had 
the  wifell  heads  in  America  met  together  to  contrive  what 
meafures  the  miniilry  fhoufd  follow    to    ilrengthen   the 
American  oppofition  and  defeat  their  own  dcfigns,  they 
coujd    not  have   fallen  upon  a  plan  fo  tfTedual,   as  that 
which  has  been  fleadily  purfued.     One  indance  I  cannot 
help  mentioning,  becaufe  it  was  both  of  more  importance, 
and  lefs  to  be  expeded  than  any  other.     When  a  majo- 
rity of  the  New- York   AfTembly,  to  their  eternal  infamy, 
attempted  to  break  the  union  of  the  colonies,  by  refuUng 
to  approve  the  proceedings  of  the  Congrefs,  and  applying 
to  Parliament  by  feparate  petition — becaufelhey  prefumed 
to  make  mention  of  the  principal  grievance  of  taxation,  it 
was  treated  with  ineffable  contempt.  I  dtiire  it  may  be  ob- 
ferved, that  all  thofe  who  are  called  the  friends  of  America 
in  Parliament,   pleaded  ftrongly   for  receiving  the  New- 
York   petition  ;    which  plainly  lliewcd,  that    neither  the 
ene  nor  the  other  underiiood  the  (late  of  affairs  in  Ameri- 
ca.    Had   the    minillry   been  prudent,  or  the  oppofitioa 
fuccefsful,  we  had  been  ruined  ;   but  with  what   tranfport 
did  every  friend  to  American  liberty  hear,  that  thefe  trai- 
tors to  the  common  caufe,  had  met    with   the   reception 
which  they  deferved. 

Nothing  is  more  manifefl,  than  that  the  people  of  Great- 
Britain,  and  even  the  king  and  minillry,  have  been  hither- 


3^4  ^f^  ^^^  controversy^  £s?tr. 

to  exceedingly  ignorant  of  the  (late  of  things  in  Air.ericai 
For  this  reafon,  their  meafures  have  been  ridiculous  in  the 
highed:  degree,  and  the  ifTue  dirgraceful.  There  are  fome 
who  will  not  believe  that  they  are  ignorant-— ihey  tell  us, 
how  can  this  be  ?  Have  they  not  muitiiudes  in  this  coun- 
try,  who  gave  them  intelligence  from  the  beginning  ?  Yes 
they  have  ;  but  they  would  truil  none  but  what  they  called 
official  intelligei)ce,  that  is  to  fay,  from  obfequious,  inter- 
eiled  tools  of  government ;  many  of  them  knew  little  of 
the  true  ilate  of  things  themfelves,  and  when  they  did, 
would  not  tell  it,  left  it  fliould  be  difagreeable.  I  have  not 
a  very    high   opinion  of  the  integrity  and  candor  of  Dr. 

C ,  Dr,  C— ,  and  other  mercenary  writers  in 

New- York;  yet  1  firmly  believe,  that  they  thought  the 
friends  of  American  liberty  much  niore  inconfiderable, 
both  for  v/eight  and  numbers,  than  they  were.  They  con* 
verfed  with  itw^  but  thofe  of  their  own  way  of  thinking, 
and  according  to  the  common  deception  of  little  minds, 
mlllook  the  fentiments  prevailing  within  the  circle  of 
their  own  acquaintance,  for  the  judgment  of  the  public^ 


(     305     ) 


O  N 


CONDUCTING 


T  H  £ 


AMERICAN  CONTRO  FERSr. 


SIR, 

I  TAKE  the  llbefty,  by  means  of  your  free  and  unin- 
fluenced  prefs,  of  communicating  to  the  public  a  few 
remarks  upon  the  manner  of  conducting  the  American 
Controverfy  in  general,  and  on  fome  of  the  writers  that 
have  appeared  in  your  paper  in  particular.  That  you 
may  not  pafs  fentence  upon  me  immediately  as  an  enemy 
to  the  royal  authority,  and  a  fon  of  fedition,  I  declare  that 
I  efleem  his  majelty  king  George  the  third  to  have  the 
only  rightful  and  lawful  title  to  the  Britifli  crown,  which 
was  fettled  upon  his  family  in  confequence  of  the  glorious 
revolution.  You  will  fay,  this  is  nothing  at  all ;  it  is  the 
creed  of  the  factious  Bollonians.  I  will  then  go  a  little 
further,  and  fay  that  I  not  only  revere  him  as  the  firft 
magillrate  of  the  realm,  but  I  love  and  honor  him  as  a 
man,  and  am  perfaaded  that  he  wifhes  the  profperity  and 
happinefs  of  his  people  in  every  part  of  his  dominions. 
Nay,  I  have  flill  more  to  fay,  I  do  not  think  the  Britifli 
miniftry  themfelves  have  deferved  all  the  abufe  and  foul 
names  that  have  been  bellowed  on  them  by  political  wri» 
YoulY.  Q^q 


3o6  On  Conducting 

ters.  The  fleps  which  they  have  taken  with  refpe^  to 
American  affairs,  and  which  I  efleem  to  be  unjuft,  impo- 
litic, and  barbarous  to  the  higheft  degree,  have  been 
chiefly  owing  to  the  two  following  caufes.  i.  Ignorance 
or  millake,  occafioned  by  the  mifinformation  of  intereiled 
and  treacherous  perfons  employed  in  their  fervice,  2.  The 
prejudices  common  to  them,  with  perfons  of  all  ranks  in 
the  ifland  of  Great-Britain. 

Of  the  firfl  of  thefe,  I  fliall  fay  nothing  at  prefent,  be- 
caufe  perhaps  it  may  occur  with  as  great  propriety  after- 
wards. But  as  to  the  fecond,  there  is  to  be  found  in  the 
newfpapers  enough  to  convince  every  man  of  refledion, 
that  it  was  not  the  king  and  the  miniflry  only,  but  the 
whole  nation  that  was  enraged  againft  America.  The 
tide  is  but  juft  beginning  to  turn  ;  and  I  am  in  fome  doubt 
whether  it  has  fairly  turned  yet,  upon  any  larger  princi- 
ples than  a  fegard  to  their  own  interell,  which  may  be  af- 
fe(5led  by  our  proceedings-  It  can  hardly  be  expeded, 
that  the  eyes  of  a  whole  nation  fliould  be  at  once  opened 
upon  the  generous  principles  of  univerfal  liberty.  It  is 
natural  for  the  multitude  in  Britain,  who  have  been  from 
their  infancy  taught  to  look  upon  an  adl  of  parliament  as 
fupreme  and  irrefiftible,  and  to  confider  the  liberty  of  their 
country  itfelf  as  confiding  in  the  dominion  of  the  houfe 
of  commons,  to  be  furprifed  and  allonifhed  at  any  fociety 
or  body  of  men,  calling  in  queflion  the  authority  of  par- 
liament,  and  denying  its  power  over  them.  It  certain- 
ly required  time  to  make  them  fenfible  that  things  are  in 
fuch  a  fituation  in  America,  that  for  the  houfe  of  com- 
mons in  Great  Britain  to  alfume  the  uncontrouled  power 
of  impofing  taxes  upon  American  property,  would  be  as 
inconiiilent  with  the  fpirit  of  the  Britifh  conflitution,  as 
it  appears  at  firfl  fight  agreeable  to  its  form.  It  argues 
great  ignorance  of  human  nature  to  fuppofe,  that  becaufe 
we  fee  a  thing  clearly,  which  we  contemplate  every  day, 
and  which  it  is  our  interell  to  believe  and  maintain,  there- 
fore they  are  deflitute  of  honor  and  truth  who  do  not  ac- 
knowledge it  immediately,  though  all  their  former  ideas 
and  habits  have  led  them  to  a  contrary  fuppofition.  A  man 
will  become  an  American  by  refiding  in  the  country  thrift 


the  American  Controijersyl  307 

montlis,  with  a  profpe^l  of  continuing,  rhore  eafily  and 
certainly  than  by  reading;  or  hearing  of  it  for  three  years, 
amidft  the  fophidry  of  daily  difputation. 

Forthefe  reafons,  I  have  often  been  grieved  to  fee  that 
the  pleaders  for  American  liberty,  have  mixed  fo  much  of 
abufe  and  invedlive  againft  the  minidry  in  general,  as 
well  as  particular  perfons,  with  their  reafonings  in  fup- 
port  of  their  owa  rnoft  righteous  claim.  I  have  often  faid 
to  friends  of  America,  on  that  fubjedk,  it  is  not  the  king 
and  miniflry,  fo  much  as  the  prejudices  of  Britons,  with 
which  you  have  to  contend.  Spare  no  pains  to  have  them 
fully  informed.  Add  to  the  immoveable  firmnefs  with 
which  youjuftly  fupport  your  own  rights,  a  continual  fo- 
licitude  to  convince  the  people  of  Britain,  that  it  is  not 
palfion  but  reafon  that  infpircs  you.  Tell  them  it  cannot 
be  ambition,  but  neceffity,  that  makes  you  run  an  evident 
rifk  of  the  heavieft  fufFerings,  rather  than  forfeit  for  your- 
felves  and  your  poderity^  the  greatefl:  of  all  earthly  blef- 
fmgs. 

Another  circumftance  gave  me  flill  more  uneafinefs,  vi^, 
that  many  American  patriots  feemed  to  countenance,  and 
to  think  themfelves  interefted  in  the  profperity  of  that 
molt  defpicable  of  all  fadions  that  ever  exifted  in  the  Bri- 
tifli  empire,  headed  by  the  celebrated  John  Wilkes,  efq. 
That  (hamelefs  gang  carried  on  their  attacks  with  fuch 
grofs,  and  indecent,  and  groundlefs  abufe  of  the  king  and 
his  family,  that  they  became  odious  to  the  nation,  and 
indeed  fo  contemptible,  that  the  miniftry  fcnt  at  one  time 
the  lord  mayor  of  London  to  the  tower,  without  exciting 
the  lead  refentment  in  the  perfons  of  property  in  that 
great  city,  fo  as  to  be  felt  in  the  operations  of  the  trea- 
fury. 

I  am  fenfible,  and  I  mention  it  with  pleafure,  that  no 
American  ever  proceeded  to  fuch  offenfive  extravagance 
on  thefe  fubjeds,  as  the  people  in  Britain.  Far  greater 
infults  were  offered  to  the  l\>vereign,  within  the  city  of 
London,  and  within  the  verge  of  the  court,  than  ever  were 
thought  of,  or  would  have  been  permitted,  by  the  mob  in 
any  part  of  America.  Even  the  writings  containing  illi- 
beral abufe  from  England,  were  fcarcely  fought  after  here, 


368  On  Conducting^  ts'tf* 

and  many  of  them  never  publirtied,  although  it  could Tiavc 
been  done  without  the  lead  danger  of  a  profecution.  Yet, 
thoupjh  the  people  of  America  are  as  dutiful  and  refpedful 
fubjedls  to  the  king  as  any  in  his  dominions,  there  were 
fome  things  done,  and  fome  things  publiflied,  that  feem- 
ed  to  intimate  that  we  had  one  and  the  fame  caufe  with 
the  author  of  the  North-Britain,  No»  45.  The  evil  confe- 
quence  of  this  was,  that  it  had  a  tendency  to  lead  the 
kin^  and  mtniftry  to  think  that  the  American  claim  was 
no  b(^tter  than  the  Wilkite  clamor,  and  fo  to  oppofe  it  with 
the  fame  firmnefs,  and  to  treat  it  with  the  fame  difdain. 
Nothing  could  be  more  injudicious  than  this  conduct  in 
the  Americans  ;  and  it  arofe  from  the  mofl  abfolute  ig- 
norance of  political  hitlory.  The  llamp.a6l,  that  firft-born 
of  American  oppreffions,  was  framed  by  the  chief  men  of 
that  very  fa6tion ;  and  it  is  plain  from  their  language  to 
this  hour,  that  they  make  no  other  ufe  of  American  dif- 
turbances,  but  as  engines  of  oppofition,  and  to  ferve  the 
mean  purpofes  of  party  or  of  family  interell. 

I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  take  any  part  with  or  againft 
the  prefent  minillry.  I  have  feen  many  changes  of  the 
minillry,  without  any  fenfible  change  of  the  ftate  of  pub- 
lic affairs.  Nothing  is  more  common  with  them  than  to 
raife  a  hideous  outcry  againft  a  meafure,  when  they  are 
out,  and  yet,  without  fliame  or  confciencc,  do  the  very 
iame  thing  as  foon  as  they  get  in.  I  look  upon  the  caufe 
of  America  at  prefent  to  be  a  matter  of  truly  iuexpreflible 
moment.  The  ftate  of  the  human  race  through  a  great 
part  of  the  globe,  for  ages  to  come,  depends  upon  it# 
Any  minifter  or  miniftry,  who  is  in  or  out  of  court  favor, 
at  a  particular  jund^ure,  is  fo  little  a  matter,  that  it  fliould 
not  be  named  with  it.  —  —  — • 


r  309  3 


A  R  I  S  T  I  D  E  S- 


S  I  R, 

IHA.VE  a  few  thoughts  to  communrcate,  firfl  to  your- 
(elf,  and  after  that,  if  you  pleafe  to  the  public,  upon  the 
manner  of  condudling  what  is  now  called  the  indepen- 
dent controverfy,  in  the  newfpapers.  There  are  to  be 
found  in  the  tradls  upon  one  fide  of  this  queftion,  almoft 
without  exception,  complaints  of  fome  rellraints,  felt  or 
feared,  upon  the  freedom  of  the  prefs.  I  Ihall  be  glad  to 
be  informed,  becaufe  I  am  yet  ignorant,  what  foundation 
there  is  for  thefe  complaints.  A  pamphlet  was  publifhed 
fometimeago,  calling  itfelf  Common  Senfc,  which  nobody 
was  obliged  to  read,  but  thole  who  were  willing  to  pay  for 
it,  and  that  pretty  dearly  too.  It  was  however  read  very 
generally,  which  I  fuppofe  mull  have  arifen  either  from 
the  beauty  and  elegance  of  the  compofition,  or  from  the 
truth  and  importance  of  the  matter  contained  in  it.  That 
it  did  not  anfe  from  the  firll  of  thefe  caufes,  1  ihall  take  for 
granted,  until  I  meet  with  fo.nebody  who  is  of  a  different 
opinion  ;  and  when  this  is  added  to  the  circumllance  of 
its  being  fold  in  the  manner  above  mentioned,  it  is  plain 
that  the  fubje^t  matter  of  Common  Scnfe  was  propofed 
to  the  world  under  every  difadvantage,  but  that  of  its  own 
manifell  importance  and  apparent  truth  or  probability. 

Tuings  being  in  this  fituation,  after  time  fuiTicient  to 
have  matured  any  pamphlet  of  an  ordinary  fize,  out 
#oines  aa  anfwer  to  Common  Sense,  under  ths  title  of 


310  Aristides, 

Plain  Truth,  This  in  one  refpefl,  was  perfe^lly  fair,  fof 
it  was  pamphlet  againfl:  pamphlet  ;  and  the  faid  Plain 
Truth  alfo  was  fold,  as  well  as  C4ommon  Senfe,  at  a  very 
high  price.  For  this  lafl  circumftance,  there  was  no  neid 
of  afligning  a  reafon,  becaufe  I  apprehend  it  is  the  un- 
doubted right  of  every  author,  to  fet  what  price  he  pleafes 
upon  the  produdions  of  his  genius,  and  of  every  printer 
upon  the  produdions  of  his  prefs,  leaving  it  always  to  the 
public  to  determine  whether  they  will  purchafe  thefe  pro- 
du6"lions  at  that  price,  or  any  other.  A  reafon  however 
was  affigned,  which  was  as  fmgular  as  it  was  unneceflary. 
We  were  told  that  only  a  fmall  number  of  copies  was 
printed  of  ih^  first  edition,  I  believe  this  is  the  only  in- 
stance that  can  be  produced,  of  calling  a  book  in  its  publi- 
cation, the  firil  edition.  The  only  reafon  of  making  more 
editions  than  one  of  any  book,  is  the  fpeedy  fale  of  that 
number  of  copies,  which  the  modefty  of  the  author,  or 
the  prudence  of  the  bookfeller,  thought  might  be  fufficient 
for  the  public  demand.  In  this  cafe,  there  is  what  is  Ha- 
ted by  the  printers  a  call  for  another  edition.  But  there 
are  multitudes  of  publications,  as  to  which  this  call  is 
never  heard,  and  therefore  none  of  them  can,  with  pro- 
priety  of  fpeech  be  lliled  the  firlt  edition.  How  would  it 
found  if  I  (hould  fay,  that  a  man  who  came  alone  into  my 
houfe,  was  the  firfl:  of  the  company  that  entered  ;  or  that 
my  wife,  who  is  (till  alive  and  well,  is  my  firll  wife,  when 
it  is  very  pofTible  that  flie  may  live  till  I  am  unfit  for  any 
other  wife,  or  till  flie  is  at  liberty  to  take  a  fecond  huf- 
band  ? 

But  further,  fuppofmg  that  the  author  and  bookfeller 
had  been  right  in  that  expectation,  which  the  ufe  of  the 
phrafe  plainly  fhews  the  vanity  of  the  one  and  the  mif- 
take  of  the  other  had  raifed  in  them,  I  defire  to  know  how 
that  was  a  reafon  for  printing  i^vj  copies,  and  thus  render- 
ing them  unconfcionably  dear.  You  printers  know  beft, 
but  I  take  it  for  granted  from  the  nature  of  the  thing,  that 
you  print  kwt^  copies  of  a  book,  when  you  do  not  ex- 
pe6l  a  general  fale.  If  I  were  certain  that  this  differtation 
of  mine  would  caufe  an  unufual  demand  for  the  paper  that 
contains  it,  I  would  modclUy  fugged  to  you,  to  print  three 


Arhthtes.  3 II 

or  four  hundred  of  that  number  more  than  common.  In 
like  manner,  if  it  was  certain  at  the  appearance  of  this 
pamphlet,  that  it  would  be  the  firft  of  many  editions,  fol- 
lowing one  another  in  rapid  fuccelFion,  it  feems  the  mofl 
obvious  thing  in  the  world  that  the  edition  fliould  have 
been  as  large  as  pofiible.  Upon  the  whole,  this  was  an 
unlucky  ftumble  at  the  threfhold  in  the  author  of  Plain 
Truth,  as  well  as  an  unexpeded  lapsus  of  the  great,  illuf- 
trious,  and  exalted  R.  B.  providore,  as  he  calls  himfelf, 
to  the  fentimentalills,  for  which  I  find  no  way  of  account* 
ing,  but  that  they  were  inadvertently  led  by  the  fubject 
they  had  in  hand  to  a6t,  as  well  as  write,  in  dired  oppo- 
fition  to  Common  5'enfe, 

Well,  the  book  comes  out,  of  which  I  had  a  prefent  of 
two  copies,  from  different  perfons,  notwithftanding  the 
fmallnefs  of  the  number  printed.  But  what  fhall  I  fay, 
either  of  the  ftyle  or  reafoning  of  the  perjarmance.  The 
reading  of  three  pages  gave  me  the  opinion  of  it,  which 
all  who  read  it  afterwards  concurred  in,  and  which  all  who 
have  not  read  it,  eafily  acquiefced  in.  In  execution  it  was 
fo  contemptible,  that  it  could  not  procure  a  reading  on  a 
fubje£l,  as  to  which,  the  curiofity  of  the  public  was  raifed 
to  the  greateft  height ;  it  not  only  wanted  good  qualities 
in  point  of  tafte  and  propriety,  but  was  eminently  polTef. 
fed  of  every  bad  one.  Common  Senfe  fometimes  failed 
in  grammar,  but  never  in  perfpicuity.  Plain  Truth  was 
fo  ridiculoully  ornamented  with  vapid,  fenfelefs  phrafes 
and  feeble  epithets,  that  his  meaning  could  hardly  be  com- 
prehended. He  often  put  me  in  mind  of  the  painted 
windows  of  fome  old  gothic  buildings,  which  keep  out 
the  light.  If  Common  Senfe  in  fome  places  wanted  po- 
lilh,  Plain  Truth  was  covered  over,  from  head  to  foot, 
with  a  detcilable  and  (linking  varnifh. 

As  to  the  argument  itfelf,  although  nothing  could  be 
more  clearly  flated  than  it  v/as  in  Common  Senfe,  yet  in 
Plain  Truih  it  was  never  touched  upon  in  the  lead  degree. 
The  author  of  Common  Senfe  did  not  write  his  book  to 
ihew  that  we  ought  to  refill  the  unconftitutional  claims  of 
Great  Britain,  which  we  had  all  determined  to  do  long 
before ;  he  wrote  it  to  ihew  that  we  ought  not  to  feek  or 


3ia  Aristides. 

wait  for  a  reconciliation,  which  in  his  opinion,  is  now  be. 
come  both  impra6licable  and  unprofitable,  but  to  eftablilh 
a  fixed  regular  government,  and  provide  for  ourfelves — 
Plain  Truth  on  the  contrary,  never  attempts  to  fliew  that 
there  is  the  leaft  probability  of  obtaining  reconciliation  on 
fuch  terms  as  will  preferve  and  fecure  our  liberties,  but 
has  exerted  all  his  little  force,  to  prove,  that  fuch  is  the 
llrength  of  Great  Britain,  that  it  will  be  in  vain  for  us  to 
refift  at  all.  I  will  refer  it  to  the  impartial  judgment  of 
all  who  have  read  this  treatife,  whether  the  juft  and  pro- 
per inference  from  his  reafoning  is  not,  that  we  ought 
immediately  to  fend  an  embaffy  with  ropes  about  their 
necks,  to  make  a  full  and  humble  furrender  of  ourfelves 
and  all  our  property  to  the  difpofal  of  the  parent  (late; 
This  they  have  formally  and  explicitly  demanded  of  us, 
and  this  we  have  with  equal  clearnefs  determined  we  will 
never  do.  The  queftion  then  is ;  Shall  we  make  refifr 
tance  with  the  gr^atefl  force,  as  rebel  fubjedls  of  a  govern- 
ment which  we  acknowledge,  or  as  independent  dates 
againfi  an  ufurped  power  which  we  detefl  and  abhor. 

After  this  reprobated  author  was  off  the  llage,  a  new 
fet  of  antagonills  appeared  againft  Common  Senfe  ?  but 
inftead  of  publifliing  the  firft  edition  of  paniphlets,  they 
chofe  to  appear  in  the  newfpapers.  The  propriety  of  this 
I  beg  leave  to  examine.  Much  has  been  faid  about  the 
liberty  of  the  prefs  ;  fuflPer  me  to  fay  a  few  words  for  the 
liberty  of  readers.  When  a  pamphlet  is  publiihed  and 
fold,  nobody  is  wronged.  When  the  anfwer  to  it  is  pub- 
lifhed  and  loki,  the  thing  is  quite  fair.  The  writers  and 
their  caufe  will  undergo  an  impartial  trial ;  but  when  the 
anfwering  one  pamphlet  by  another,  has  fo  Ihamefully 
failed,  to  undertake  the  fame  thing  by  various  detached 
pieces  in  the  newfpapers.  is  cramming  the  fenfe  or  non^ 
fenfe  of  thefe  authors  down  our  throats,  whether  we  will 
or  not.  I  pay  for  your  newfpaper,  and  for  two  more, 
and  frequently  read  others  beiides.  Now,  if  I  pay  for 
news,  mult  my  paper  be  fluffed  with  diflertations,  and 
mud  I  read  them  four  or  five  times  over  ?  I  do  declare, 
that  I  have  paid,  and  am  to  pay,  three  times  for  the  mod 
part  pf  Cato's  letters,  and  if  they  were  to  be  publiihed  in 


An  si  ides,  313 

ji  pamphlet,  t  ivould  not  give  a  rufli  for  them  all  together. 
But  it  will  be  faid,  the  cullom  is  old  and  univerfal,  to  write 
diflertations  in  newfpapers.  1  anfwer,  it  is  both  old,  uni- 
verfal and  ufcful,  when  under  proper  diredlion  ;  hut  it 
may  be  abufed.  It  is  the  rio^ht  of  every  publiflier  ofa 
newfpaper,  to  infert  in  it  upon  his  own  judgment  and 
choice,  when  news  are  fcarcc,  whatever  he  thinks  will  re- 
commend his  paper  to  his  readers.  In  this  view,  an  able 
writer  is  a  treafure  to  a  pilblifher  of  any  periodical  paper, 
and  ought  certainly  to  be  paid  liberally,  either  in  money 
or  thanks,  or  both  ;  and  therefore,  Sir,  if  you  have  paid 
for,  or  even  folicited  from  the  author,  the  papers  you  have 
publifhed,  you  arc  wholly  acquitted  of  blame,  further  than 
fometiines  a  miflaken  choice ;  but  if  on  tne  contrary,  which 
i  Itrdngly  fufpedt,  you  and  others  are  paid  for  inferting 
political  pieces,  1  affirm,  you  take  money  to  deceive  your 
readers. 

As  the  fubjedl  is  of  fome  importance,  efpecially  at  this 
tinie,  i  rtiall  take  the  liberty  of  Oating  the  objedions  I 
have  againrt  the  pra6lice,  as  above  defcribed,  leaving  you 
to  fhape  your  future  courfe  as  you  think  proper,  and  de- 
termining to  ufe  my  prerogative  of  taking  or  giving  up 
your  paper  as  it  feems  to  deferve.  In  the  firfl:  place,  if 
you  admit  pieces  into  your  paper  for  pay,  I  prefurrie  frorri 
the  nature  of  all  mankind,  that  thofe  who  pay  belt,  will 
have  the  preference.  Then  fhall  we  have  a  new  ftandard 
of  literary  merit  ;  and  a  man  who  is  able  and  willing  to 
refute  pernicious  principles,  or  to  detedt  the  falfehood  of 
impudent  alTertions,  may  yet  be  too  poor  to  obtain  a  place^ 
where  only  it  can  be  done  to  any  good  purpofes.  The 
moment  it  is  in  the  power  of  perfoiis  unknown,  to  cdndudl 
or  bias  the  public  channels  of  intelligence,  both  the  people 
in  general,  and  particular  perfons,  may  be  deceived  and 
abuied  in  the  groffeft  manner.  It  is  fcarce  worth  while, 
when  things  of  fo  much  greater  moment  are  to  be  added, 
yet  I  will  juft  mention,  that  you  force  nonfenfe  upon  us 
which  could  not  make  its  appearance  in  any  other  mode 
of  publication.  Pray  Sir,  how  much  copy  money  would 
you  have  given  for  a  pamphlet  in  which  you  had  found 
Ibat  ridiculous  pun  upon  Mount  Seir,  which  is  to  be  fcen 

V0J..IV,  Rr 


314  Arts  tides. 

in  one  of  Cato's  letters,  and  the  wretched  parody  upon 
Hamlet's  foliloquy  ?  Parody  in  general,  is  one  of  the  loweft 
kind  of  writing  that  has  yet  found  a  name  ;  and  that  poor 
fpeech  has  been  repeated,  imitated  and  mangled  fo  often, 
that  it  mud  excite  difguil  in  every  perfon  who  has  any  ac- 
quaintance with  newfpapers  and  pamphlets  to  fee  it  again. 
I  could  eafily  mention  twenty  different  ways,  in  which  I 
have  feen  that  fpeech  parodied.  To  fpeak,  or  not  to  fpeak, 
that  is  the  queflion — To  fight,  or  not  to  fight,  that  is  the 
quefiion — To  wed,  or  not  to  wed,  that  is  the  queflion — To 
drink,  or  not  to  drink,  that  is  the  queflion,  &c.  &c.  &c. 
Is  this  then  a  time  for  filling  the  newfpapers  with  fuct 
egregious  trifling  ? 

But  this  is  not  all  ;  I  could  mention  a  cafe  that  happen- 
ed a  few  years  ago  in  New- York.  A  gentleman  had  pub- 
lifhed  a  frnall  piece  by  itfelf,  and  put  his  own  name  and 
defcription  on  the  tide  page  ;  he  was  immediately  attack- 
ed in  the  mofl  virulent  and  unmannerly  flile,  by  anony- 
mous writers  in  the  newfpapers,  and  it  was  with  the  ut- 
mofl  difficulty,  that  even  for  pay  itfelf,  his  friends  could 
get  a  few  words  inferted  by  way  of  reply.  This  praftice 
indeed,  is  liable  to  the  higheft  degree  of  corruption.  Whe- 
ther are  we  to  fuppofe  it  was  pay  or  profanenefs,  that  in- 
troduced into  the  paper  printed  by  the  infamous  R , 

pieces  containing  the  grofTefl:  obfcenity,  and  which  ought 
to  have  peen  punifhed  by  the  magillrates  of  the  place,  as  a 
public  nuifance  ?  It  is  alfo  generally  believed  of  that  prin- 
ter, that  he  encouraged  or  hired  worthlefs  perfons  to  pub- 
lifh  afperfions  againil  a  gentleman  in  the  neighbourhood, 
of  good  eflate,  but  of  no  great  judgment,  that  he  might 
fqueeze  money  out  of  him  for  the  liberty  of  contradicling 
them.  I  do  not  fay  that  things  are  come  this  length  with 
you  ;  but  the  practice  leads  to  it,  and  therefore  fliould  be 
early  and  vigoroufly  oppofed. 

For  the  above  reafons,  caution  is  to  be  ufed  in  admit- 
ting effays  into  the  newfpapers  at  any  rate,  or  fuflPering  a 
controverfy  in  which  people  are  greatly  interefled,  to  be 
agitated  there  at  all.  The  writers  are  very  apt  to  become 
perfonal  and  abufive,  and  to  forget  the  fubjefl  by  refuting 
or  expofing  every  thing  that  has  been  thrown  out  by  their 


Aristidcs„  315 

antagonids.  Certainly  however,  they  ought  to  confine 
themfelves  to  the  pieces  that  have  been  originally  publiQi- 
ed  in  the  newfpapers,  and  are  fuppofed  tahave  been  read 
by  the  fame  perfons  who  read  the  anfwers.  To  anfwer  a 
whole  book  by  a  feries  of  letters  in  the  nevvfpipers,  is  like 
attacking  a  man  behind  his  back,  and  (peaking  to  his  pre- 
judice before  peiTons  who  never  faw  nor  heard  of  him,  nor 
are  ever  likely  fo  to  do.  Common  Senfe  has  been  read 
by  many,  yet  the  newfpapers  are  read  by  many  more ; 
and  therefore  I  afSrni,  that  permitting  his  adverfaries  to 
attack  him  there,  is  giving  them  an  undue  advantage  over 
him,  and  laying  the  public  at  the  mercy  of  thofe  who 
will  not  flick  to  affert  any  thing  whatever,  in  fupport  of  a 
bad  caufe. 

Let  no  body  fay  I  am  writing  againft  the  freedom  of 
the  prefs,  I  defire  that  it  fhould  be  perfedlly  free  from 
every  bias  ;  but  I  would  have  all  writings  of  confequence 
upon  fuch  a  caufe  as  this,  publifhed  by  themfelves,  that 
they  may  {land  or  fall  by  their  own  merit,  and  the  judg- 
ment of  the  public.  How  do  you  think  Sir,  the  letter  of 
the  common  man  publiflied  in  your  paper,  fome  time  ago, 
would  do  if  lengthened  out  a  little,  and  printed  in  a  pam- 
phlet ?  Under  a  thin  and  filly  pretence  of  impartiality,  he 
takes  upon  him  to  tell  us  what  a  number  of  things  muft 
be  all  previoufly  fettled,  before  we  proceed  to  fix  upon  a 
regular  plan  of  government ;  fuch  as  what  price  we  muft 
expedl  for  our  produce  at  this  and  the  other  nation  and 
port.  Shall  we  call  this  reafoning  ?  Are  our  underftand- 
ings  to  be  infulted  ?  If  all  or  any  fuch  things  muft  be  pre- 
vioufly fettled,  any  man  of  common  invention  may  enu- 
merate fifty  thoufand  perfcdlly  fimilar,  which  will  never 
be  fettled  by  previous  computation  to  the  end  of  the  world, 
but  will  fpeedily  fettle  themfelves  by  common  interefl, 
when  a  trade  is  open,  and  the  common  man  fhall  never 
know  any  thing  of  the  matter. 

But  what  I  chiefly  complain  of,  is  the  tedious,  trifling, 
indecent  altercation,  occafionedby  handling  this  fubjedl  in 
the  newfpapers.  It  certainly  requires  a  fpeedy  decifion, 
as  well  as  mature  deliberation ;  yet  mull  we  wait  till  Cato 
and  other  writers  have  exhaufted  their  invention  in  the 


JlS  Aristidei, 

newfpap^rs,  from  week  to  week,  gueffed  at  one  another's 
perfons,  and  triumphantly  exprefled  their  difdain  at  each 
other's  fentiments  or  ftile.  If  Gate's  letters  had  been  a 
pamphlet,  I  could  have  read  all  that  he  has  faid  in  an  hour, 
and  all  th€  reafoning  part  by  itfelf,  in  the  fourth  part  of 
the  time  ;  yet  after  eight  letters,  muft  we  wait  fome  weeks 
xnore,  for  it  would  be  indecent  to  proceed  to  a£lion  before 
he  has  done  fpeaking.  But  after  all,  the  worft  of  it  is, 
that  in  this  way  of  letter  and  anfwer,  we  never  come  to 
the  argument  at  all.  If  I  miftake  not,  the  points  to  be 
difcufled  are  very  plain  and  not  numerous,  and  yet  wholly 
tintouched,  at  leaft  by  Cato,  though  he  has  been  repeated- 
ly called  upon  by  his  adverfaries.  For  example — Is  there 
^  probable  profpedl  of  reconciliation  on  conflitutional 
principles  ?  What  are  thefe  conflitutional  principles  I 
Will  any  body  fhew  that  Great-Britain  can  be  fufficient* 
ly  fure  of  our  dependance,  and  yet  we  fure  of  our  liber- 
ties ?  A  treatife  upon  this  laft  fubjedl  would  be  highly 
acceptable  to  me,  and  if  well  executed,  ufeful  to  all.  I 
ihall  add  but  one  queflion  more.  Will  the  country  be  as 
orderly  and  happy,  and  our  efforts  for  refiflance  as  effec- 
tual, by  the  prefent  loofe  and  temporary  proceedings,  aS 
when  the  whole  are  united  by  a  firm  confederacy,  and 
their  exertions  concentrated  like  the  flrength  of  a  fingle 
flate  ?  I  am  greatly  miftaken  if  thefe  points  ought  not  to 
be  the  hinge  of  the  controverfy,  and  yet  if  they  have  been 
examined  fully,  or  the  greateft  part  of  them  even  touched 
upon  by  Cato  or  his  coadjutors,  I  have  read  their  works 
with  very  little  attention. 

Now,  Sir,  this  paper  goes  to  you,  that  if  you  pleafe  you 
may  infert  it,  but  neither  money  nor  promife  of  good  deecj 
to  make  way  for  it,  fo  that  its  fate  is  wholly  uncertain. 

I  remain  Sir, 
Yours,  &c. 

ARISTIDj:S, 


I  317   3 


PART   Oy    A 

SPEECH    IN    CONGRESS, 

OK    THE 

CONFERENCE 
Proposed    by   LORD     HOWE. 


Mr.  President, 

THE  fubjei^  we  are  now  upon,  is  felt  and  confefTed 
by  us  all  to  be  of  the  utnioft  confequence,  and  per- 
haps I  may  alfo  fay,  of  delicacy  and  difficulty.  I  have 
not  been  accuftonied  in  fuch  cafes  to  make  folemn  pro- 
feffions  of  impartiality  ;  and  (hall  not  do  it  now,  becaufe 
I  will  notfuppofe  that  there  are  any  fufpicionsto  the  con- 
trary in  the  minds  of  thofe  who  hear  me.  Befides,  the 
variety  of  opinions  that  have  been  formed  and  delivered 
upon  it,  feem  to  prove  that  we  are  giving  our  own  proper 
judgment,  without  prejudice  or  influence  ;  which  1  hope 
will  lead  to  the  difcovery  of  what  is  mod  wife  and  expe- 
dient upon  the  whole. 

As  the  deliberation  arifes  from  a  mefiiige  fent  to  us  by 
lord  Howe,  at  leaft  by  his  permiiTion,  I  think  it  is  of  im- 
portance  to  attend  with  greater  exadlnefs  to  all  the  circum- 
flances  of  that  meflage,  than  has  been  done  by  any  gen-- 
ticman  who  has  yet  fpoken  oa  the  fubjeft.     It  comes 


3i3  Speech  en  the  Confer  end 

from  the  commander  in  chief  of  the  forces  of  the  king  of 
Great-Britain,  and  one  who  is  faid  to  carry  a  commiffion 
to  give  peace  to  America. 

From  the  conduclof  the  miniHry  at  home,  from  the  ads 
of  parliament,  and  from  lord  Howe's  proclamation  in 
conformity  to  both,  it  is  plain,  that  ablblute  unconditional 
fubmiiTion  is  what  they  require  us  to  agree  to,  or  mean  to 
force  us  to.  And  from  the  molt  authentic  private  intelli- 
gence, the  king  has  not  laid  afide  his  perfonal  rancor  ;  it 
is  rather  increaiing  every  day.  In  thefe  circumftances, 
lord  Howe  has  evidently  a  great  defire  to  engage  us  in  a 
treaty  ;  and  yet  he  has  conftantly  avoided  giving  up  the 
leafl:  pundilio  on  his  fide.  He  could  never  be  induced  to 
give  general  Wafliington  his  title.  He  plainly  tells  us  he 
cannot  treat  with  Congrefs  as  fuch ;  but  he  has  allowed  a 
prifoner  of  war  to  come  and  tell  us  he  would  be  glad  to 
fee  us  as  private  gentlemen. 

It  has  been  faid  that  tliis  is  no  infult  or  difgjrace  to  the 
Congrefs ;  that  the  point  of  honor  is  hard  to  be  got  over, 
in  making  the  firll  advances.  This,  fir,  is  miftaking  the 
matter  wholly.  He  has  got  over  this  point  of  honor  ;  he 
has  made  the  firft  overtures  ;  he  has  told  general  Wafh- 
ington,  by  colonel  Putnam,  that  he  wilhed  that  melTage  to 
be  confidered  as  making  the  firll  ftep.  His  renewed  at. 
tempts  by  lord  Drummcnd,  and  now  by  general  Sullivan, 
point  out  to  all  the  world  that  he  has  made  the  firft  ftep. 
It  will  doubtlefs  be  related  at  home,  and  I  am  of  opinion 
it  is  already  written  and  boafted  of  to  the  minillry  at 
home,  that  he  has  taken  fuch  a  part.  Therefore,  any 
evil  or  condefcenfion  that  can  attend  feeking  jxjace  firft, 
has  been  fubmitted  to  by  him.  Yet  has  he  uniformly 
avoided  any  circumflance  that  can  imply  that  we  are  any 
thing  elfe  but  fubjefts  of  the  king  of  Great-Britain,  in  re- 
bellion. Such  a  meflage  as  this,  if  in  any  degree  intend- 
ed  as  refpe6^ful  to  us,  ought  to  have  been  fecret ;  yet 
has  it  been  open  as  the  day.  In  flioit,  fuch  a  mefTage  was 
unneceffary ;  for  if  he  meant  only  to  communicate  his 
mind  to  the  Congrefs  by  private  gentlemen,  he  might 
have  done  that  many  ways,  and  it  needed  not  to  have  been 
known  either  to  the  public  or  the  Congrefs,  till  thefe 


proposed  by  Lord  Howe.  319 

private  gentlemen  came  here  on  purpofe  to  reveal  it 

Thefe,  then,  are  the  circuniUances  which  attend  this 
meflage  as  it  is  now  before  us  ;  and  the  quedion  is,  fliall 
we  comply  with  it  in  any  dej^ree,  or  not  ?  Let  us  afk 
what  benefit  will  be  derived  r'rom  it  ?  There  is  none 
yet  ftiewn  to  be  pofTible.  It  has  been  admitted  by  every 
perfon  without  exception  who  has  fpoken,  that  we  are  not 
to  admit  a  thought  of  giving  up  the  independence  we  have 
fo  lately  declared  ;  and  by  the  greated  part,  it  not  the 
whole,  that  there  is  not  the  leafl:  reafon  to  expect  that  any 
correfpondence  we  can  have  with  him  will  tend  to  peace. 
Yet  I  think,  in  the  beginning  of  the  debate,  fuch  reafon- 
ings  were  ufed  as  feemed  to  me  only  to  conclude  that  we 
fhould  grafp  at  it  as  a  means  of  peace.  We  were  told 
that  it  was  eafy  for  us  to  boafl  or  be  valiant  here  ;  but  that 
our  armies  were  running  away  before  their  enemies.  I 
never  loved  boafting,  neither  here  nor  any  where  elfe. 
I  look  upon  it  as  almoft  a  certain  forerunner  of  difgrace.  I 
found  my  hope  offuccefs  in  this  caufe,  not  in  the  valor  of 
Americans,  or  the  cowardice  of  Britons,  but  upon  the 
juftice  of  the  caufe,  and  ftill  more  upon  the  nature  of 
things.  Britain  has  firft  injured  and  inflamed  America  to 
thehigheft  degree;  and  now  attempts,  at  the  dillance  of 
three  thoufaud  miles,  to  carry  on  war  with  this  whole 
country,  and  force  it  to  abfolute  fubmifTion.  If  we  take 
the  whole  events  of  the  war  fince  it  commenced,  we  fhall 
rather  wonder  at  the  uniformity  of  our  fuccefs,  than  be 
furprifed  at  fome  crofs  events.  We  have  feen  bravery 
as  well  as  cowardice  in  this  country  ;  and  there  are  no 
confequences  of  either  that  are  probable,  that  can  be  worth 
mentioning,  as  afcertaining  the  event  of  the  conteft. 

Lord  Howe  fpeaks  of  a  decifive  blow  not  being  yet 
flruck  ;  as  if  this  caufe  depended  upon  one  battle,  which 
could  not  be  avoided.  Sir,  this  is  a  prodigious  miflake. 
We  may  fight  no  battle  at  all  for  a  long  time,  or  we  may 
lofe  fome  battles,  as  was  the  cafe  with  the  Britifh  themfelves 
in  the  Scotch  rebellion  of  1745,  and  the  caufe  notwithfland- 
ing  be  the  fame.  I  wifh  it  were  conlidered,  that  neither  lofs 
nor  difgrace  worth  mentioning,  has  befallen  us  in  the  late 
engagement,  nor  comparable  to  what  the  Britifh  troop 


H"^. 


320  speech  on  the  Conference 

have  often  fufFered.  At  the  battle  of  Preflon,  fir^  they 
broke  to  pieces  and  ran  away  like  fheep,  before  a  few 
highlanders.  I  myfelffaw  them  do  the  fame  thing  at  Fal- 
kirk,  with  very  little  difference,  a  fmall  part  only  of  the 
army  making  a  ftand,  and  in  a  few  hours  the  whole  retreat- 
ing with  precipitation  before  their  enemies.  Did  that  make 
any  difference  in  the  caufe  ?  Not  in  the  lead — fo  long  as 
the  body  of  the  nation  were  determined,  on  principle,  a- 
gainll  the  rebels.  Nor  would  it  have  made  any  other  differ- 
ence, but  in  time,  though  they  had  got  pofleffion  of  Lon*. 
don,  which  they  might  have  eafily  done  if  they  had  under- 
fiood  their  bufmefs  ;  for  the  militia  in  England  there  ga* 
thered  together,  behaved  fifty  times  worfe  than  that  of 
America  has  done  lately.  They  generally  dilbanded  and 
ran  off  wholly,  as  foon  as  the  rebels  came  within  ten  or 
twenty  miles  of  them.  In  lliort,  fu%  from  any  thing  that 
has  happened,  1  fee  not  the  lead  reafon  for  our  attending 
to  this  delufive  meff^ge.  On  the  contrary,  I  think  it  is 
the  very  worft  time  that  could  be  chofen  for  ns  ;  as  it  will 
be  looked  upon  as  the  effedl  of  fear,  and  diffufe  the  fame 
fplrit,  in  fome  degree,  through  different  ranks  of  men* 

The  improbability  of  any  thing  arifing  from  this  con- 
ference, leading  to  a  jufl:  and  honorable  peace,  might  be 
fhewn  by  arguments  too  numerous  to  be  even  {q  much  as 
named.  But  what  I  fliall  only  mention  is,  that  we  are 
sbfolutely  certain,  from  ^Mtxy  circumftance,  from  all  the 
proceedings  at  home,  and  lord  Howe's  own  explicit  de- 
claration in  his  letter  to  Dr.  Franklin,  that  he  never 
will  acknowledge  the  independence  of  the  American 
Slates. 

I  obferved  that  one  or  two  members  faid,  in  obje£tion 
to  the  report  of  the  board  of  war,  that  it  was  like  a  begging 
©f  the  queftion,  and  making  a  preliminary  of  the  whole  fub- 
je<Sl  in  debate.  Alas,  fir,  this- is  a  prodigious  miftake.  It 
was  not  only  not  the  whole,  but  it  was  properly  no  fubje<5l 
of  debate  at  all,  till  within  thefe  three  months.  We  were 
contending  for  the  refloration  of  certain  privileges  under 
the  government  of  Great- Britain,  and  we  were  praying 
for  re-union  with  her.  But  in  the  beginning  of  July, 
with  the  uniyerfal  approbation  of  all  the  ftates  now  united, 


proposed  by  Lord  tJoroe^  32t 

Ve  renounced  this  connexion,  and  declared  otlrfelves  free 
and  independent.  Shall  we  bring  this  into  queitioa 
again  ?  Is  it  not  a  preliminary  ?  has  it  not  been  declared 
a  preliminary  by  many  gentlemen,  who  have  yet  given 
their  opinion  for  a  conference,  wiiile  they  have  faid  they 
were  determined  on  no  account,  and  on  no  condition,  to 
give  up  our  independence  ?  It  is  then  a  neceflfary  preli- 
minary— and  it  is  quite  a  different  thing  from  any  punc- 
tilios  of  ceremony.  If  France  and  England  were  at  war^ 
and  they  were  both  defirous  of  peace,  there  might  be  fome 
little  difficulty  as  to  who  fliould  make  the  firlt  propofals; 
but  if  one  of  them  fhould  claim  the  other,  as  they  did  long 
ago,  as  a  vaffal  or  dependant  fubjed,  and  fhould  fjgnify  a 
defire  to  converfe  with  the  other,  or  fome  deputed  by  him, 
and  propofe  him  many  privileges,  fo  as  to  make  him  even 
better  than  before,  I  defire  to  know  how  fuch  a  propofal 
would  be  received  ?  If  we  had  been  for  ages  an  indepen- 
dent republic,  we  fhould  feel  this  argument  with  all  its 
force.  That  we  do  not  feel  it,  fhews  that  we  have  not  yet 
acquired  the  whole  ideas  and  habits  of  independence  ; 
from  which  I  only  infer,  that  every  ftep  taken  in  a  corre- 
fpondence  as  now  propofed,  will  be  a  virtual  or  partial  re* 
nunciation  of  that  dignity  fo  lately  acquired. 

I  beg  you  would  obferve,  fir,  that  lord  Howe  himfcif 
was  fully  fenfible  that  the  declaration  of  independence 
precluded  any  treaty,  in  the  character  in  which  he  appear- 
ed :  as  he  is  faid  to  have  lamented  that  he  had  not  arrived 
ten  days  fooner,  before  that  declaration  was  made.  Hence 
it  appears,  that  entering  into  any  correfpondence  with  him 
in  the  manner  now  propofed,  is  actually  giving  up,  or  at 
leaft  fubjeding  to  a  new  confideration,  the  independence 
which  we  have  declared.  If  I  may  be  allowed  to  fay  it 
without  offence,  it  feems  to  me  that  fome  members  have 
unawares  admitted  this,  though  they  are  not  fenfible  of  it ; 
for  when  they  fay  that  it  is  refufing  to  treat,  unlefs  the 
whole  be  granted  us,  they  mufl  mean  that  fome  part  of  that 
whole  mull  be  left  to  be  difcuITed  and  obtained,  or  yield- 
ed, by  the  treaty. 

But,  fir,  many  members  of  this  houfe  have  either  yield- 
ed, or  at  leaft  fuppofed,  that  no  dcfirable  peace,  or  no  real 

Yqu  IV,  S  s 


522  Speech  on  the  Conference 

good,  could  be  finally  expe£led  from  this  correfpondence^ 
which  is  wifhed  to  be  fet  on  foot ;  but  (hey  have  confider- 
cd  it  as  neceffary  in  the  eye  of  the  public,  to  fatisfy  them 
that  we  are  always  ready  to  hear  any  thing  that  will  re- 
llore  peace  to  the  country.  In  this  view  it  is  confidered 
as  a  fort  of  trial  of  fkill  between  lord  Howe  and  us,  in  the 
political  art.  As  I  do  truly  believe,  that  many  members 
of  this  houfe  are  determined  by  this  circumftance,  I  ihall 
confider  it  with  fome  attention.  With  this  view  it  will 
be  neceflary  to  diftinguifli  the  public  in  America  into 
three  great  clafles.  (i.)  The  tories,  our  fecret  enemies. 
(2.)  The  whigs,  the  friends  of  independence,  our  fmcere 
and  hearty  fupporters.  (3.)  The  army,  who  mull  fight 
for  us. 

As  to  the  firft  of  them,  I  readily  admit  that  they  are 
earned  for  our  treating.  They  are  exulting  in  the  prof- 
pedl  of  it ;  they  are  fpreading  innumerable  lies  to  for- 
ward it.  They  are  treating  the  whigs  already  with  in- 
fult  and  infolence  upon  it.  It  has  brought  them  from 
their  lurking  holes ;  they  have  taken  liberty  to  fay  things 
in  confequence  of  it,  which  they  duril  not  have  faid  be- 
fore. In  one  word,  if  we  fet  this  negociation  on  foot,  it 
will  give  new  force  and  vigor  to  all  their  feditious  machi- 
nations. But,  fir,  (hall  their  devices  have  any  influence 
upon  us  at  all  ;  if  they  have  at  all,  it  ftiould  be  to  make 
us  fufpcd  that  fide  of  the  queftion  which  they  embrace. 
In  cafes  where  the  expediency  of  a  meafure  is  doubtful, 
if  I  had  an  opportunity  of  knowing  what  my  enemies 
wifhed  me  to  do,  I  would  not  be  eafily  induced  to  follow 
th.eir  advice. 

As  to  the  whigs  and  friends  of  independence,  I  am 
well  perfuaded  that  multitudes  of  them  are  already  clear 
in  their  minds,  that  the  conference  fhould  be  utterly  re- 
jected ;  and  to  thofe  who  arq  in  doubt  about  its  nature, 
nothing  more  will  be  requifite,  than  a  clear  and  full  in- 
formation of  the  Hate  of  the  cafe,  which  I  hope  will  be 
granted  them. 

As  to  the  army,  I  cannot  help  being  of  opinion,  that 
nothing  will  more  effedtually  deaden  the  operations  of 
war,  thaii  what  is  propofed.     We  do  not  ourfelves  exr. 


proposed  by  Lord  Bbwci^  ^^23 

pea  any  benefit  from  it,  but  they  will.  And  they  will 
poffibly  impute  our  condua  to  fear  and  jealoufy  as  to  the 
iffue  of  the  caufe  ;  which  will  add  to  their  prcfent  little  dif- 
couragement,    and  produce  a  timorous  and  d^fpondent 


C  325   3 


SPEECH    IN    CONGRESS, 

ON    THE 

CO  NFE  NTION 

WITH 

GENERAL    BURGOYNE. 


Mr.  President, 

I  AM  fenfible,  as  every  other  gentleman  in  this  houfe 
feems  to  be,  of  the  great  importance  of  the  prefent 
queftion.  It  is  of  much  moment,  as  to  private  perfons, 
fo  to  every  incorporated  fociety,  to  preferve  its  faith  and 
honor  in  folemn  contrails  :  and  it  is  efpecially  fo  to  us, 
as  reprefenting  the  United  States  of  America,  aflbciated 
fo  lately,  and  jufl  beginning  to  appear  upon  the  public 
ftage.  I  hope,  therefore,  we  lliall  deteft  the  thoughts  of 
embracing  any  meafure  which  ihall  but  appear  to  be  mean. 
Captious,  or  infidious,  whatever  advantage  may  feem  to 
arife  from  it.  On  the  other  hand,  as  the  intereft  of  this 
continent  is  committed  to  our  care,  it  is  our  duty,  and  it 
will  be  expected  of  us,  that  we  give  the  utmoft  attention 
that  the  public  fufFer  no  injury  by  deception,  or  abufe  and 
infult,  on  the  part  of  our  enemies.  ^ 

On  the  firftofthefe  principles,  it  is  clearly  my  opinion  that 
Ave  ought,  agreeably  tothefpirit  of  the  firfl  refoliition  report- 
ed, to  find,  that  the  convention  is  not  fo  broken,  on  the  part 
of  general  Burgoync,  as  to  entitle  us  to  refufe  compliance 


326  On  the  Convention 

With  it  on  ours,  and  detain  him  and  his  army  as  prifoners^ 
of  war.  I  admit  that  there  is  fomething  very  fuspicious 
in  the  circumflance  of  the  colours,  when  compared  with 
his  letter  in  the  London  Gazette,  which  makes  mention 
of  the  Britiih  colours  being  feen  flying  upon  the  fort.  I 
agree,  at  the  fame  time,  that  the  pretence  of  the  cartouch 
boxes  not  being  mentioned  in  the  convention,  is  plainly 
^n  evafion.  They  ought,  in  fair  conftrudlion,  to  be  com- 
prehended under  more  expreflions  of  that  capitulation 
than  one — arms — ammunition — warlike  ftores.  They 
were  fo  underftood  at  the  capitulation  of  St.  John's.  In 
this  prefent  inftance  many  of  them  were  delivered  up, 
which  certainly  ought  to  have  been  the  cafe  with  all  or 
none.  And  once  more,  I  admit  that  the  detention  of  the 
bayonets  in  the  inftances  in  which  it  was  done,  was  un- 
deniably unjult. 

As  to  the  firft  of  thefe  particulars,  I  am  unwilling  to 
diftruft  the  honour  of  a  gentleman  folemnly  given  ;  and 
therefore  as  general  Burgoyne  has  given  his  honor  to 
general  Gates,  that  the  colours  were  leff  in  Canada,  I  fup- 
pofe  it  is  fubltantially  true,  whatever  fmall  exception  there 
might  be  to  it.  The  colours  feeti  flying  at  Tyconderoga,  were 
perhaps  old  colours  occafionally  found  there,  or  perhaps 
taken  from  fome  of  the  vefiels  lying  at  the  place,  and  left 
there  when  the  army  proceeded  further  up  the  country. 
This  is  the  rather  probable,  that  if  the  regiments  in  gene- 
ral had  had  colours,  they  muft  have  been  feen  very  fre- 
quently by  our  army  in  the  battles,  or  upon  the  march. 

As  to  the  other  circumftances,  they  are  fo  mean  and 
little  in  their  nature,  that  I  fuppofe  them  to  have  arifen 
from  the  indifcretion  of  individuals,  quite  unknown  to 
the  commander  in  chief,  or  even  to  the  officers  in  general. 

We  ought  alfo  to  confider  that  it  was  fo  unexpedled, 
and  mufl  have  been  fo  humiliating  a  thing,  for  a  whole 
Britifh  army  to  furrender  their  arms,  and  deliver  them- 
felves  up  prifoners  to  thofe  of  whom  they  had  been  accuf- 
tomed  to  fpeak  with  fuch  contempt  and  difdain— that  it 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  the  common  foldiers  did  fome 
things  out  of  fpite  and  ill  hilmor,  not  to  bejuilificd.    To 


^  ijjith  General  Burgoyne»  327 

all  thefe  confiderations,  I  will  only  add,  that  though  the 
want  of  the  colours  deprives  us  of  fonie  enfigns  of  triumph 
which  it  would  have  been  very  grateful  to  the  different 
Hates  to  have  dillributed  among  them,  and  to  have  pre- 
ferved  as  monuments  of  our  vidory,  the  other  things  are 
fo  trifling  and  unelTential,  that  it  would  probably  be  con- 
fidered  as  taking  an  undue  advantage,  if  we  fhould  retain 
the  whole  army  here  on  that  account.  I  would  therefore, 
fir,  have  it  clearly  afferted,  that  though  we  are  not  infenfi- 
ble  of  thofe  irregularities,  and  they  may  contribute  to 
mdce  us  attentive  to  what  Ihall  hereafter  pafs  before  the 
embarkation,  we  do  not  confider  them  as  fuch  breaches  of 
the  convention,  as  will  authorize  us  injufticeto  declare 
it  void. 

On  the  other  hand,  fir.  It  is  our  indifpenfable  duty  to 
ufe  the  greateft  vigilance,  and  to  adl  with  the  greateft  firm- 
nefs,  in  feeing  that  juflice  be  done  to  the  Amerfcan  States, 
Not  only  caution,  but  what  I  may  call  jealoufy  and  fuf- 
picion,  is  neither  unreafonable  nor  indecent  in  fuch  a  cafe. 
This  will  be  juflified  by  the  knowledge  of  mankind.  Hif- 
tory  affords  us  many  examples  of  evafive  and  artful  con- 
duct in  fome  of  the  greateft  men  and  moil  refpedlable  na- 
tions, when  hard  preffed  by  their  neceffities,  or  when  a 
great  advantage  was  in  view.  The  behaviour  of  the  Ro- 
mans when  their  army  was  taken  at  the  Caudine  Forks 
may  be  produced  as  one.  The  condudl  of  the  Samnites 
was  not  over-wife;  but  that  of  the  Romans  wasdifhonor- 
able  to  the  laft  degree,  though  there  are  civilians  who  de- 
fend  it.  Their  conful,  after  his  army  had  paffed  through 
the  yoke,  a  fymbol  at  that  time  of  the  utmoft  infamy, 
made  a  peace  with  the  Samnites.  The  fenate  refufed  to 
ratify  it ;  but  kept  up  a  fliew  of  regard  to  the  faith  plighted, 
by  delivering  up  the  conful  to  the  Samnites,  to  be  ufed 
as  they  thought  proper.  That  people  anfwered,  as  was 
eafily  fuggefted  by  plain  common  fenfe,  that  it  was  no  re- 
paration at  all  to  them  to  torment  or  put  one  man  to  death  ; 
but  that  if  they  difavov/ed  the  treaty,  they  ought  to  fend 
back  the  army  to  the  fame  fpot  of  ground  in  which  they 
had  been  furrounded.  No  fuch  thing,  however,  was  done* 
But.  the  Romans,  notwithftanding,  immediately  broke  the 


328  On  the  Convention 

league  ;  and  with  the  fame  army  which  had  been  let  go, 
or  a  great  part  of  it,  brought  the  unhappy  Saninites  to 
deftrudlion. — Such  inflances  may  be  brought  from  modern 
as  well  as  ancient  limes.  It  is  even  the  opinion  of  many 
perfons  of  the  bell  judgment,  that  the  convention  entered 
into  by  the  late  duke  of  Cumberland,  was  by  no  means 
ftri(Stly  obferved  by  the  court  of  London. 

When  I  confider  this,  fir,  I  confefs  I  look  upon  the  ex- 
preffion  in  general  Burgoyne's  letter  to  general  Gates,  of 
November  14,  as  of  the  moft  alarming  nature.  For  no 
other  or  better  reafon,  even  fo  much  as  pretended,  than 
that  his  quarters  were  not  fo  commodious  as  he  expelled, 
hQ  dtoXdxts  the  public  faith  is  broke ^  and  we  are  the  im* 
mediate  sufferers,  in  this  he  exprefsly  declares  and  fub^ 
fcribes  his  opinion,  that  the  convention  is  broken  on  our 
part ;  and  in  the  lall  exprclfion,  we  are  the  immediate 
fufferers,  every  perfon  mult  perceive  a  menacing  inti- 
mation of  who  fhall  be  the  fufferers  when  he  fhall  have  it 
in  his  power. 

Being  fuiSciently  fettled  as  to  the  principle  on  which  I 
lliall  found  my  opinion,  it  is  unnecelfary  tor  me  to  give 
an  account  of  the  law  of  nature  and  nations,  or  to  heap 
up  citations -from  the  numerous  writers  on  that  fubjedt. 
But  that  what  I  fliall  fay  may  have  the  greater  force,  I 
beg  it  may  be  obferved,  that  the  law  ot  nature  and  nations 
is  nothing  elfe  bat  the  law  of  general  reaion,  or  thofe 
obligations  of  duty  from  reafon  and  confcience,  on  one 
individual  to  another  antecedent  to  any  particular  law 
derived  from  the  fecial  compact,  or  even  adtual  confent. 
On  this  account,  it  is  called  t!ie  law  of  nature  ;  and  be- 
caufe  there  are  very  rarely  to  be  found  any  parties  in  fuch 
a  free  Hate  with  regard  to  each  other,  except  independ- 
ent nations,  therefore  it  is  alfo  called  the  law  of  nations. 
One  nation  to  another  is  juft:  as  man  to  man  in  a  Hate  of 
nature.  Keeping  this  in  view,  a  perfon  of  integrity  will 
pals  as  found  a  judgment  on  fubjeds  of  this  kind,  by 
confuhing  his  own  heart,  as  by  turning  overbooks  and 
iyllems.  The  chief  ufe  of  books  and  lyllems,  is  to  apply 
the  principal  to  particular  cafes  and  fuppofitions  different- 
ly clalfedj.and  to  point  out  the  pradice  of  nations  in 


nvhh  General  Burgoyne^  319 

feveral  minute  and  fpecial  particulars,  which  unlefa  af. 
certained  by  pradlice,  would  be  very  uncertain  and  am- 
biguous. 

But,  fir,  I  mud  beg  your  attention,  and  that  of  the 
houfe,  to  the  nature  of  the  cafe  before  us — at  leaft  as  I 
think  it  ought  to  be  Hated.     I  am  afraid  that  fome  mem- 
hers  may    be   mifled,  by  confidering    this  declaration  of 
general  Biirgoyne  as  an  irregularity  of  the  fame  fpecies, 
if  I  may  fpeak   fo,  with   the  other  indifcretions  or  even 
frauds,  if  you   plcafe  to  call  them  fo,  of  withholding  the 
cartouch  boxes,  or  hiding  or  dealing  the  bayonets.     The 
quellion  is  not,  whether  this  or  the  other  thing  done  by  the 
army  is  a  breach  of  the  convention.     I  have  for  ray  part 
given  up  all  thefe  particulars,   and  declared  my  willing- 
nefs  to  ratify  the  convention,  after  I  have  heard  them  and 
believe  them  to  be  true.     But  we  have  here  the  declared 
opinion  of  one  of  the  parties,  that  the  public  faith  is  bro- 
ken  by  the  other.     Now,  the  fimplell  man  in  the  world 
knows,  that  a  mutual  onerous  contraft  is  always  condi- 
tional ;  and  that  if  the  condition  fails  on  one  fide,  whether 
from  necefTity  or  fraud,  the  other  is  free.     Therefore  we 
have  reafon  to  conclude,  that  if  Mr.   Burgoyne  is  of  opi- 
nion  that  the  convention  is  broken  on  our  part,  he  will 
not  hold  to  it  on  his.     He  would  adt  the  part  of  a  fool  if 
he  did.      It  is  of  no  confequence  to  fay  his  opinion  is  ill- 
founded  or  unjuft,  as  it  manifeflly  is  in  the  prefent   cafe  ; 
for  whether  it  is  jufl  or  unjuft,  if  it  is  really  his  opinion 
(and  we  fhould  wrong  his  fincerity  to  doubt  it)  the  confe- 
quences  are  the  fame  with  refpe6l  to  us,     Men  do  often, 
perhaps  generally,  adhere  with  greater  obftinacy  to  opi- 
nions, that  are  ill,  than  thofe  that  are  well  founded,  and 
avenge  imaginary  or  trifling  injuries  with  greater  violence 
than  thofe  that  are  real  and  great.     Nay,   we  may  draw 
an  argument  for  our  danger  I'rom  the  very  injufticeof  his 
complaint.     If   he   has  conceived   the  convention   to  be 
broken  on  fo   frivolous  a  pretence  as  that  his  lodging  is 
not  quite  commodious,    after  the  juft    caution  inferted 
by  general  Gates  in  the   preliminary  articles,  what  have 
we  to  expect  from  him  as  foon  as  he  (hall  recover  his  li- 
berty, and  the  power  of  doing  mifchief  ?  It  fhews  a  dif- 
VoL.  IV.  T  t 


330  On  the  Con*oentlofi 

pofition  to  find  fault,  and  an  impatience  under  his  pre- 
fect confinementj  the  future  efie^s  of  which  we  have  the 
greateft  reafon  to  dread. 

.  The  more  I  confider  this  matter,  fir,  the  more  it  flrikes 
ipe  with  its  force.  General  Gates  fays  upon  the  fubjeft 
of  accommodation,  granted  as  far  as  circumstances  tviil 
admit.  Was  not  this  proper  and  neceffary  ?  It  was  very 
natural  to  fuppofe  that  general  Burgoyne,  accuftomed  to 
the  fplendor  of  the  Britifh  court,  and  pofTefTed  with  ideas 
of  his  own  importance,  would  be  but  ill  pleafed  with  the 
bell  accommodations  that  could  be  obtained  for  him,  and 
his  numerous  followers,  in  one  of  the  frugal  Hates  of  New- 
England.  It  was  alfo  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  place  not 
in  the  leaftexpe£ting  the  honor  of  fuch  guefts,  which  had 
been  long  the  feat  of  war — which  had  been  exhauRed  by 
our  army,  and  plundered  by  their's.  One  would  h^ve 
thought  that  the  recolledlion  of  the  ruin  of  Charleftown, 
the  burning  of  which,  if  I  miflake  not,  in  a  letter  of  his 
from  Bofton  to  England,  he  calls  a  glorious  light,  might 
have  prevented  his  complaints,  even  though  he  had  lefs 
elbow  room  than  he  wiflied  for.  But  as  circumttances 
fland,  by  what  conduct  fhall  we  be  able  to  Tatisfy  him  ? 
When  will  pretences  ever  be  wanting  to  one  feeking  to 
prove  the  convention  broken,  when  it  is  his  inclination 
or  his  intereft  to  do  fo. 

It  has  been  faid,  fir,  that  we  ought  not  to  take  this  de- 
claration of  his  in  fo  ferious  a  manner  ;  that  it  was  writ- 
ten rafhly,  and  in  the  heat  of  paflion  ;  and  that  he  did  not 
naean  that  we  fhould  dread  fuch  ctnfequences  from  it. 
All  this  I  believe  to  be  ilridly  true.  It  probably  fell  from 
him  in  paflion — and  very  unadvil'edly.  But  is  he  the  firft 
perfon  that  has  raflily  betrayed  his  own  mifchievous  de- 
signs ?  Or  is  this  a  reafon  for  our  not  availing  ourfelves 
of  the  happy  difcovery  ?  His  folly  in  this  inftance  is  our 
.good  fortune.  He  is  a  man,  fn%  whom  I  never  faw,  though 
i  have  been  more  than  once  in  England  ;  but  if  1  fliould 
fay  1  did  no-t  know  him,  after  having  read  his  lolty  and 
fonorous  proclamation,  and  ibme  other  productions,  I 
fhould  fay  what  was  not  true.  He  is  evidently  a  man 
fnowy,  vain,  impetuous  and  ralh.     It  is  reported  of  gene- 


^ith  General Burgoyne.  33X 

ral  Gates,  from  whom  I  never  heard  that  any  other  words 
ofboafting  or  oftentation  fell,  that  he  faid  he  knew  Bur- 
goyne,  and  that  he  could  build  a  wall  for  him  to  run  his 
head  againft.  I  do  not  by  any  means  approve  of  boait- 
ing  in  general.  I  think  a  man  fliould  not  boaft  of  what 
he  has  done,  much  lefs  of  what  he  only  means  to  do ;  yet 
I  cannot  help  faying,  that  this  was  a  moll  accurate  predic- 
tion, which,  with  the  event  that  followed  it,  plainly  points 
out  to  us  the  character  of  general  Burgoyne.  Do  you 
think  that  fuch  a  man  would  not  take  the  advantage  of 
this  pretended  breach  of  the  convention  on  our  part ;  and 
endeavor  to  wipe  off  the  reproach  of  his  late  ignominious 
furrender  by  fome  fignal  or  defperate  undertaking  I      — 


(     S33     ) 


Vf\X'>^>"'^* 


SPEECH    IN    CONGRESS, 

«H  A 

MOTION   FOR    PAYING 

THE  INTEREST  O? 

LO  AN^O  FFICE    CERTIFICATES. 


Mr.  President, 

I  MUST  entreat  the  attention  of  the  houfe,  while  I 
endeavor  to  flate  this  fubjedt  with  as  much  brevity  and 
perfpicuity  as  I  am  mafter  of.  It  is  not  eafy  to  forbear 
mentioning,  yet  I  Ihall  but  barely  mention,  the  dillreffed 
and  unhappy  fituation  of  many  of  the  perfons  concerned 
in  the  public  loans.  I  fhall  alfo  pafir'by  their  charadters, 
as  whigs  and  friends  to  the  American  caufe.  I  ihall  pafs 
by  the  fervices  which  many  of  them  have  rendered,  in 
their  perfons,  by  their  friends,  by  their  purfes,  and  by  their 
prayers.  Thefe  are  affedling  confiderations,  which  ought 
not,  and  which  I  am  confident  v/ill  not  fail,  to  have  their 
weight  with  every  member  of  this  houfe.  Let  us  then, 
leave  thefe  topics  altogether,  and  let  us  confine  ourfelves 
to  the  duty  and  interell  of  the  United  States  in  their  pre- 
fent  fituation,  when  the  care  of  their  affairs  is  committed 
to  us  who  are  here  affembled. 

Public  credit  is  of  the  utmoil  moment  to  a  flate  which 
cxpedts  to  fupport  itfelf,  at  any  time  ;  but  it  is  all  in  all  in 
a  time  of  war.     The  want  of  it  defeats  the  wifeft  mea- 


334  Speech  on  the  Interest  of 

fures,  and  renders  every  department  torpid  and  mottotiv 
lefs.  It  cannot  be  denied,  that  by  many  unhappy,  if  not 
unwife  meafures,  public  credit  among  us  has  been  redu- 
ced to  the  lowed  ebb,  firft  by  a  monftrous  and  unheard  of 
cmiliion  of  paper  money  ;  next  by  an  aft  of  bankruptcy, 
reducing  it  to  fix-pence  in  the  pound  ;  then  by  a  table  of 
depreciation.  \  There  remained  bat  one  thing  which  pre- 
ferved  us  fome  degree  of  refpeft;  .bility,  that  the  promifes 
made  to  lenders  of  money  before  a  certain  period,  had 
been  kept  for  three  years  ;  but  now,  as  the  lafl  and  iiniih- 
ing  ftroke,  this  alfo  is  broken  to  pieces,  and  given  to  the 
winds. 

Let  not  gentlemen  cry  out  as  before,  why  diriinguifh 
thefe  people  from  other  public  creditors  ?  I  do  not  dif- 
tinguifh  them  by  afking  payment  for  them  alone;  but  I 
diftinguifh  them,  beoaufe  their  circumflances  and  difap- 
pointment  give  a  new  and  difgraceful  ftroke  to  the  credit 
of  the  United  States.  I  dillinguifh  tliem,  becaufe  I  hop* 
that  their  fufFerings  and  complaints  may  induce  us  to  lake 
fome  Hep  towards  the  payment  of  all.  Strange  it  is  to  the 
lafl:  degree,  that  this  comparifon  (hould  feem  to  fet  gen- 
tlemen's minds  at  eafe — becaufe  great  injury  has  been 
done  to  one  clafs,  therefore  the  fame  may  and  ought  to  be 
done  to  another.  In  this  way  it  would  be  very  eafy  to  rid 
ourfelves  of  both,  and  to  fay,  why  all  this  noife  about 
loan-office  certificates  ?  have  not  all  the  receivers  of  con- 
tinental bills  fufFered  as  much  or  more  than  they,  and  had 
the  immenfe  fum  of  two  hundred  millions  funk  in  their 
hands  ? — If  this  would  be  a  good  anfwer  in  one  cafe,  it 
certainly  would  in  the  other.  Now  is  it  proper  or  fafe  in 
our  prefent  fituation,  to  refufe  all  kind  of  payment  to  the 
public  creditors  in  this  country,  fo  numerous  and  fo  va- 
rioufly  circumftanced  ?  Let  us  examine  it  a  little. 

We  are  now  endeavoring  to  borrow,  and  have  the  hope 
of  borrowing  money  in  Europe.  Is  this  the  way  to  fucceed  ? 
Is  it  not  poffible,  is  it  not  highly  probable,  that  our  treat- 
ment of  our  creditors  here,  will  foon  be  known  there  ? 
Nay,  are  not  fome  of  our  creditors  interefted  in  this  very 
meafure,  refiding  there  ?  Mud  not  this  repeated  infolven- 
cy,  negleft  and  even  contempt  of  public  creditors,  pre* 


Loan-Office  Certificates*  335 

vent  people  from  lending  us  in  Europe  ?  I  am  ferry  to 
fay  it,  but  in  truth  I  do  believe  that  it  is  their  ignorance 
of  our  fituation  and  paft  condu£l,  that  alone  will  make 
them  trurt:  us.  I  confefs,  that  if  1  were  at  Amfterdam  juft 
now,  and  had  plenty  of  rr;oney,  I  would  give  what  I 
thought  proper  to  the  United  States,  but  would  lend  them 
none. 

It  is  to  be  hoped,  that  in -time  truth  and  juflice  will  ^o 
far  prevail,  that  our  pofterity  will  fee  the  necelTity  of  doing 
their  duty  ;  but  at  prefent  we  feem  but  little  difpofed  to 
it. — By  making  fome  payment  to  the  public  creditors 
immediately,  and  profecuting  the  meafures  already  begun 
for.  further  fecurity,  we  iliould  obtain  a  dignity  and  weight 
abroad,  that  would  procure  money  wherever  it  could  be 
found. 

Let  us  next  confider  the  effed  upon  our  credit  at  home. 
It  has  ever  been  my  opinion,  that  if  our  fecurity  were 
good,  and  our  credit  entire,  fo  that  obligations  by  the  pub- 
lic would  be  turned  into  money  at  any  time,  at  par  or  at 
little  lefs,  we  Ibould  find  no  inconfiderable  number  of 
lenders.  Every  thing  of  this  kind  proceeds  upon  fuch 
certain  principles  as  never  to  fail  in  any  inftance  of  ha- 
ving their  efFe6l.  From  the  general  difpofition  that  pre- 
vails in  this  new  country,  real  eftate  is  lefs  eileemed, 
and  money  at  intereft  more,  that  is  to  fay  comparatively 
fpeaking,  than  in  the  old.  Now,  whatever  fuccefs  we 
may  have  in  Europe,  I  am  perfuaded  we  fhould  ftill  need, 
or  at  lead  be  much  the  better  of  loans  at  home,  which  are 
in  their  nature  preferable  to  thofe  abroad  ;  and  therefore 
whatever  leads  utterly  to  deftroy  our  credit  at  home,  does 
an  efiential  injury  to  the  public  caufe.  Nay,  though  there 
were  not  any  proper  loans  to  be  expedled  or  attempted  at 
home,  fome  trufting  to  public  credit  would  be  neceffary,  to 
make  thofe  to  whom  we  are  already  indebted  patient,  or  at 
leall  filent  for  fome  time.  To  this  may  be  added  that  an- 
nihilating public  credit,  or  rather  rendering  it  contempti- 
ble, has  an  unhappy  influence  upon  every  particular  inter- 
nal temporary  operation.  People  will  not  feek  your  fer- 
vice,  but  fly  from  it.  Hence  it  is  well  known,  that  fome- 
times  ilores  and  ammunition  or  other  neceffaries  for  the 


^36  speech  on  the  Interest  of 

army,  have  (lood  ftill  upon  the  road  till  they  were  half  loll: 
for  want  of  ready  money,  or  people  who  would  truft  you, 
to  carry  them  forward. 

We  muft  now  go  a  little  further,  and  fay  that  if  this  pro- 
pofition  is  inforced,  it  will  be  a  great  hindrance  to  the 
payment  of  taxes,  and  raifing  the  fupplies  which  muft  be 
called  for  from  the  ftates.     I  do  not  infift  upon  what  has 
been  already  mentioned,  that  the  payment  propofed  would 
enable  many  to  pay  their  taxes  ;  becaufe,  though  that  is 
certainly  true  with  refpedl  to  thofe  who  (liall  receive  it, 
and  though  it  is  admitted  they  are  pretty  numerous,  yet 
in  my  opinion  it  is  but  a  tritle  to  the  other  efte6ls  of  it, 
both  in  the  pofitive  and  negative  way.     It  would  give  dig- 
nity to  the  public  fpirit,  and  animation  to  the  people  in 
general.     It  would  give  the  people  better  thoughts  of  their 
rulers,    and  prevent  murmuring  at  public  perfons  and 
public  meafures.     I  need  not  tell  this  houfe  how  much 
depends  in  a  free  Hate,  upon  having  the  efteem  and  at- 
tachment of  the  people.     It  is  but  a  very  general  view 
that  people  at  a  diltance  can  take  of  the  management  of 
men  in  public  truft  ;  but  in  general  it  is  well  known,  they 
are  abundantly  jealous,  and  as  ready  to  believe  evil  as 
good.     I  do  not  fpeak  by  guefs,  but  from  fafts,  when  I 
tell  you  that  they  fliy,  we  are  now  paying  prodigious  taxes, 
but  what  becomes  of  all  the  money  ?  The  army,  fay  they, 
get  none  of  it,  being  almoft  two  years  in  arrear.     The 
public  creditors  fay  they  get  none  of  it,  not  even  interefl 
for  their  money.     This  was  told  me  by  the  county  col- 
ledlor  of  Somerfet  county,  New-Jerfey,  who  was  not  a 
contentious  man,  .but  wiftied  to  know  what  he  ought  to 
fay  to  the  people.     Now  this  fmall  payment,  as  it  would 
be  very  general,  would  be  much  talked  of;  and  I  am  per- 
fuaded,  for  its  general  good  influence,  would  be  worth  all, 
and  more  than  all  the  fum  we  fliall  beftow*     I  have  heard 
it  faid,  in  fome  fimilar  cafes,  you  muft  fometimes  throw  a 
little  water  into  a  pump,  in  order  to  bring  a  great  deal 
out  of  it. 

Now,  on  the  other  hand,  what  will  be  the  confequence 
of  a  total  refufal  ?  You  have  told  the  public  creditors, 
that  you  have  no  money  in  Europe  to  draw  for.     They 


Loan-Office  Certifcates,  33^ 


^'ill  very  fpeedlly  hear  of  this  loan  in  Holland.  They  ar^ 
fiifficiently  exafperated  already  ;  this  will  add  to  their  in- 
dignation. They  reaHy  are  already  fore  ;  their  minds 
will  be  rankled  more  than  ever.  They  are  looking  with 
^n  evil  eye  upon  fome  new  men  coming  into  play,  and 
thinking  themlclves  unjudly  and  ungratefully  uled.  I 
believe  they  are  not  fo  much  v/ithout  principle,  as  to  turn 
their  backs  upon  the  public  caufe  ;  but  a  fpirit  of  faction 
and  gerteral  difcontent,  upon  fuch  plaufible  grounds,  may 
do  it  effential  injury.  They  may  combine  to  refufe  their 
taxes;  and  if  any  fuch  unhappy  afibciatiori  fhould  be 
formed,  it  would  fpread  ;  and  many  from  a  blind  a:ttach- 
Irient  to  their  own  intereft,  would  pretend  to  be  Upon  the 
fame  footing,  though  they  have  no  concern  in  the  matter : 
and  if  this  difpofition  fhould  become  general,  it  would  put 
an  entire  (lop  to  all  our  proceedings.  This  difcoufaging 
profpedt  is  not  merely  founded  on  conjedure.  I  have 
been  told  that  there  have  already  been  meetings  for  enter- 
ing into  concert  for  refufmg  to  pay  taxes.  Is  it  pofTible 
We  can,  in  our  circumllanceS,  more  profitably  employ 
the  fum  mentioned  in  the  motion,  than  in  giving  fatis fac- 
tion td  a  deferving  body  of  men,  and  in  preventing  evils 
of  fo  alarming  a  nature. 

It  is  poilible,  ftr,  that  fome  are  comforting  themfelves 
with  their  own  fmcerity  and  good  intentions  ;  that  they 
ultimately  refolve  to  pay  all  honorably  ;  that  they  have 
taken,  and  are  taking  meafures  to  prepare  for  it. — A  fuTii 
of  money  is  called  for  on  purpofe  to  pay  the  intereli  of  the 
public  debts  ;  and  the  five  per  cent,  import  is  appropria- 
ted to  the  fame  purpofe.  But,  fj.r,  it  will  take  aconfider* 
able  time  before  the  moil  fpeedy  of  thefe  meafures  can 
bring  money  into  the  treafury  ;  and  in  the  mean  time  the 
late  itep  of  refufing  to  draw  bills,  has  given  fuch  a  llroke 
to  loan-office  certificates,  that  their  value  is  fallen  to  a  very 
trifle — tHe  fpirits  of  the  people  are  broken — a  gentleman 
told  me  the  other  day,  1  fee  the  loan-office  certificates  are 
gone,  as  well  as  all  the  reft  of  the  money.  The  inevita- 
ble confequcnce  will  be,  that  hard  and  irrefiftible  necelfity, 
or  incredulity  and  ill  humor,  will  make  them  part  with 
them  for  a  mere  nothing  ;  and  then  the  greatell  part  gf 
Vot.IV-  Uu 


338  speech^  ^c. 

them  by  far  will  really  be  in  the  hands  of  fpeculators. 
When  this  is  notorioufly  the  cafe,  I  (hall  not  be  at  all  fur- 
prifed  to  find  that  fomebody  will  propofe  a  new  fcale  of 
depreciation,  and  fay  to  the  holders,  you  ihall  have  them 
for  what  they  were  worth  and  generally  fold  at,  at  fuch  a 
time.  Paft  experience  judifies  this  expedation,  and  no  de- 
claration  we  can  make  to  the  contrary,  will  be  flronger 
than  that  of  Congrefs  in  the  year  1779,  that  they  would 
redeem  the  money,  and  that  it  was  a  vile  and  flanderous 
aflertion,  that  they  would  fufFer  it  to  fmk  in  people's  hands. 
I  know  particular  perfons  alfo,  who  by  believing  this  de- 
claration, loft  their  all.  Nov/,  if  this  fhall  be  the  cafe 
again,  public  faith  will  be  once  more  trodden  under  foot ; 
and  the  few  remaining  original  holders  of  certificates  will 
lofe  tliem  entirely,  being  taken  in  connexion  with  thofe 
v/ho  purchafed  them  at  an  under  value. 


C     339     ] 


PART    OF    A 


SPEECH    IN    CONGRESS, 


ON    THE 


FINANCES. 


Mr.  Pkesident, 

I  HAVE  little  to  fay  againft  the  refolutions,  as  they 
{land  reported  by  the  fuperintendant  of  finance.  Per- 
haps they  are  unavoidable  in  the  circumflances  to  which 
we  are  reduced.  Yet  the  ilep  feenis  to  be  fo  very  impor- 
tant, and  the  confequences  of  it  io  much  to  be  dreaded, 
that  I  mud  intreat  the  patience  of  the  houfe,  till  I  flate 
the  danger  in  a  few  words,  and  examine  whether  any 
thing  can  poffibly  be  added  to  it,  which  may  in  fome  de- 
gree  prevent  the  evils  which  we  apprehend,  or  at  lead  ex- 
culpate Congrefs,  and  convince  the  public  that  it  is  the  ef- 
fect of  abfolute  neceflity. 

Sir,  if  we  enter  into  thefe  refolves  as  they  (land,  it  will 
be  a  deliberate  deviation  from  an  exprefs  and  abfolute  (ii- 
pulation,  and  therefore  it  will,  as  it  was  exprefled  by  an 
honorable  gentleman  the  other  day,  give  the  laft  (fab  to 
public  credit.  It  will  be  in  vain,  in  future,  to  aflc  the  pub- 
lic to  believe  any  promife  we  (hall  make,  even  when  the 
moll  clear  and  explicit  grounds  of  confidence  are  produced. 
Perhaps  it  will  be  faid  that  public  credit  is  already  gone ; 
and  it  hath  been  faid  that  there  is  no  more  in  this,  than 


34,0-  Speech  In  Congress 

in  negleS^ng  to  pay  the  intereft  of  the  loan-oiEce  certifi- 
cates of  later  date  ;  but  though  thefe  were  no  other  differen- 
ces between  them,  this  being  another  and  freiher  indance 
of  the  fame,  will  have  an  additional  evil  influence  upon 
public  credit.  But  in  fadl,  there  is  fomething  more  in  it 
than  in  the  other.  The  folemn  ftipulation  ofCongrefs,  fpe- 
cifying  the  manner  in  which  the  intereil  was  to  be  paid, 
was  confidered  as  an  additional  fecurity,  and  gave  a  value 
to  thefe  certificates,  which  the  others  rieyer  had.  I  beg  that 
no  gentleman  may  think  that  I  hold  it  a  light  matter  to 
withhold  the  intereil  from  the  other  lenders  ;  they  will  be 
convinced  I  hope,  of  the  contrary  before  I  have  done  ; 
but  I  have  made  the  comparifon  merely  to  Ihew  what  will 
be  the  influence  of  this  meafure  upon"  the  public  mind, 
and  therefore  upon  the  credit  and  eftimation  of  Congrefs. 
Now  it  is  plain,  that  the  particular  promife  of  giving  bills 
upon  JiLurope,  as  it  had  an  effeft,  and  was  intended  to  have 
^t  in  procuring  ,credit,  it  mull,  when  broken  or  withdrawn, 
operate  in  the  moft  powerful  manner  to  our  prejudice.  I 
will  give  an  example  pf  this,  in  opr  melancholy  paft  ex- 
perience. The  old  continerital  money  was  difgraced  and 
funk,  firfl  by  the  ad  of  March  i8th,  1780,  (which  the 
Duke  de  Vergennes  juftly  called  an  a£t  of  bankruptcy,) 
telling  you  would  pay  no  more  of  your  (debt  than  fix  pence 
in  the  pound.  This  was  afterwards  further  improved  by 
new  elHmates  of  depreciation,  of  feventy-five  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty,  for  new  (late  paper,  which  itfelf  was 
funk  to  two  or  three  for  one ;  and  yet  bad  as  thefe  men's 
cafes  were,  the  difgrace  arifing  from  them  was  more  than 
doubled,  by  people's  referring  to,  and  repeating  a  public 
declaration  of  Congrefs,  in  which  we  complained  of  the 
injurious  flanders  of  thofe  that  faid  we  would  fufler  the 
money  to  fink  in  the  hands  of  the  holders,  and  making 
the  moll  folemn  proteilations,  that  ultimately  the  money 
ihould  be  redeemed  dollar  for  dollar ;  and  to  my  know- 
ledge, fome  trufling  to  that  very  declaration,  fold  their  ef- 
tates  at  what  they  thought  a  high  price,  and  brought 
ithemfelves  to  utter  ruin. 

I  cannot  help  requeiling  Congrefs  to  attend  to  the  Hate 
of  thofe  perfons  who  held  the  Loan    Office  certificates 


on  the  Finances.  34t 

which  drew  intereft  on  France  ;  they  are  all,  without  ex- 
ception, the  firmed  and  fafeft  friends  to  the  caufe  of  Ame- 
rica; they  \yere  in  general  the  moil  firm,  and  adtive,  and 
generous  friends.  Many  of  them  advanced  large  fums  of 
hard  money,  to  aflifl:  you  in  carrying  on  the  war  in  Ca- 
nada. None  of  them  at  all  put  away  even  the  loan-office 
certificates  on  fpeculation,  but  either  from  a  generous  in- 
tention of  ferving  the  public,  or  from  an  entire  confidence 
in  the  public  credit.  There  is  one  circumftance  which 
ought  to  be  attended  to,  viz.  the  promife  of  intereft — bills 
on  Europe  were  not  rnade  till  the  loth  of  September,  1777. 
It  wasfaid  a  day  or  two  ago,  that  thofe  who  fent  in  cafla 
a  little  before  March  ill,  17 78,  had  by  the  depreciated 
flate  of  the  money,  received  almoR  their  principal ;  but 
this  makes  but  a  fmall  part  of  the  money,  for  there  were 
but  fix  months  for  the  people  to  put  in  the  money,  after 
the  promife  was  made  ;  only  the  molt  apparent  juftice 
obliged  Congrefs  to  extend  the  privilege  to  thofe  who  had 
put  in  their  money  before.  Befides,  nothing  can  be  more 
unequal  and  injurious  than  reckoning  the  money  by  the 
depreciatign,  either  before  or  after  the  ift  of  March,  1778, 
for  a  great  part  of  the  money  in  all  the  Loan  offices  was 
fuch  as  had  been  paid  up  in  its  nominal  value,  in  confe* 
quence  of  the  Tender  laws. 

This  points  you,  Sir,  to  another  clafs  of  people,  from 
whom  money  was  taken,  viz.  widows  and  orphans,  corpo- 
rations and  public  bodies.  How  many  guardians  were  ac- 
tually led,  or  indeed  were  obliged,  to  put  their  deprecia- 
ted  and  depreciating  money  into  the  funds — I  fpeak  from 
good  knov/ledge.  The  truftees  of  the  college  of  New-Jer- 
fey,  in  June,  1777,  dire(^eda  committee  of  their's  to  put 
all  the  money  that  fnould  be  paid  up  to  them,  in  the  loan- 
office,  fo  that  they  have  now  nearly  inverted  all.  Some 
put  in  before  March,  1778,  and  a  greater  part  fubfequent 
to  that  date.  Now  it  muft  be  known  to  every  body,  that 
fince  the  payment  of  the  intereft  bills  gave  a  value  to  thefe 
early  loans,  many  have  continued  their  intereft  in  them, 
and  refted  in  a  manner  wholly  on  them  for  fupport.  Had 
they  entertained  the  ilighteft  fufpicion  that  they  would  be 
cut  off,    they  could  have  fold  them  for  fonjething,  and 


342  Speech  in  Congress 

applied  themfelves  to  other  means  of  fubfiftence  ;  but  as 
the  cafe  now  (lands,  you  are  reducing  not  an  inconfidera- 
ble  number  of  your  very  bell  friends  to  abfolute  beggary. 
During  the  whole  period,  and  through  the  whole  fyflem  of 
continental  money,  your  friends  have  fufFered  alone — the 
difaffeded  and  lukewarm  have  always  evaded  the  burden 
•—have  in  many  inflances  turned  the  fufFerings  of  the 
country  to  their  own  account — have  triumphed  over  the 
whigs — and  if  the  whole  fhall  be  crowned  with  this  laft 
Uroke,  it  feems  but  reafonable  that  they  fhould  treat  us 
with  infult  and  derifion.  And  what  faith  do  you  expert 
the  public  creditors  fliould  place  in  yowr  promife  of  ever 
paying  them  at  all  ?  What  reafon,  after  what  is  pad,  have 
they  to  dread  that  you  will  divert  the  fund  which  is  now 
XBentioned  as  a  dillant  fource  of  payment  ?  If  a  future 
Congrefs  Ihould  do  this,  it  would  not  be  one  whit  worfe 
than  what  has  been  already  done. 

i  wifh,  Sir,  this  houfe  would  weigh  a  little,  the  public 
confequences  that  v/ill  immediately  follow  this  refolution. 
The  grief,  difappointment  and  fufFerings  of  your  be  ft 
friends,  has  been  already  mentioned — then  prepare  your- 
ielves  to  hear  from  your  enemies  the  moft  infulting  abufe. 
You  will  be  accufed  of  the  moft  oppreflive  tyranny, 
and  the  grofleft  fraud.  If  it  be  poffible  to  poifon  the 
minds  of  the  public,  by  making  this  body  ridiculous 
or  contemptible,  they  will  have  the  faireft  opportuni- 
ty of  doing  [o^  that  ever  was  put  in  their  hands.  But 
1  muft  return  to  our  plundered,  long  ruined  friends ; 
we  cannot  fay  to  what  their  rage  and  difappointment 
may  bring  them  ;  we  know  that  nothing  on  earth  is 
fo  deeply  refentful,  as  defpifed  or  rejedted  love — whether 
they  may  proceed  to  any  violent  or  diforderly  meafures, 
it  is  impoflible  to  know.  We  have  an  old  proverb,  That 
the  eyes  will  break  through  ftone  walls,  and  for  my  own 
part,  I  lliould  very  much  dread  the  furious  and  vio- 
lent efforts  of  defpair.  Would  to  God,  that  the  indepen- 
dence of  America  was  once  eftabliftied  by  a  treaty  of  peace 
in  Europe  ;  for  we  know  that  in  all  great  and  fierce  po- 
litical contentions,  the  efte(5t  of  power  and  circumftances 


fi^  the  Finances.  343 

15  very  great  ;  and  that  if  the  tide  has  run  long  with  great 
violence  one  way,  if  it  does  not  fully  reach  its  purpofe^ 
and  is  by  any  means  brought  to  a  ftand,  it  is  apt  to  take 
a  dire6iion,  and  return  with  the  fame  or  greater  violence 
than  it  advanced.  Muft  this  be  rifked  at  a  crifis  when  the 
people  begin  to  be  fatigued  with  the  war,  to  feel  the  heavy 
expence  of  it,  by  paying  taxes  ;  and  when  the  enemy, 
convinced  of  their  folly  in  their  former  feverities,  are  doing 
every  thing  they  can  to  ingratiate  themfelves  with  the 
public  at  large.  But  though  our  friends  fhould  not  be  in- 
duced to  take  violent  and  feditious  meafures  all  at  once,  I 
am  almoft  certain  it  will  produce  a  particular  hatred  and 
contempt  of  Congrefs,  the  reprefentative  body  of  the  union, 
and  flill  a  greater  hatred  of  the  individuals  who  compofe 
the  body  at  this  time.  One  thing  will  undoubtedly  hap- 
pen ;  that  it  will  greatly  abate  the  refpedt  which  is  due  from 
the  public  to  this  body,  and  therefore  weaken  their  autho* 
rity  in  all  other  parts  of  their  proceedings. 

I  beg  leave  to  fay,  Sir,  that  in  all  probability  it  will  lay 
the  foundation  for  other  greater  and  more  fcandalous  fteps 
of  the  fame  kind.  You  will  fay  what  greater  can  there  be  I 
Look  back  a  little  to  your  hiftory.  The  firft  great  and  de- 
liberate breach  of  public  faith,  was  the  a6l  of  March  i8th, 
1780,  reducing  the  money  to  forty  for  one,  which  was  de- 
claring you  would  pay  your  debt  at  fix-pence  in  the  pound 
— But  did  it  not  turn  ?  No,  by  and  by  it  was  fet  in  this 
ftate  and  others  at  feventy-five,  and  finally  fet  one  hundred 
and  fifty  for  one,  in  new  paper,  in  ftate  paper,  which  in 
fix  months,  rofe  to  four  for  one.  Now,  Sir,  what  will  be 
the  cafe  with  thefe  certificates  ?  Before  this  propofal  was 
known,  their  fixed  price  was  about  half  a  crown  for  a  dol- 
lar of  the  eftimated  depreciated  value  ;  when  thisrefolu- 
tion  is  fairly  fixed,  they  will  immediately  fiill  in  value, 
perhaps  to  a  (hilling  the  dollar,  probably  lefs.  Multi- 
tudes of  people  in  defpair,  and  ab folate  neceifity,  will  fell 
them  for  next  to  nothing,  and  when  the  holders  come  at 
laft  to  apply  for  their  money,  I  think  it  highly  probable, 
you  will  give  them  a  fcale  of  depreciation,  and  tell  them, 
they  cofl  fo  little  that  it  would  be  an  injury  to  the  public 
to  pay  the  full  value.    And  in  truth,  Sir,  fuppofing  y(3^x 


344  Speech  in  CoHgrfss 

finally  to  pay  the  full  value  of  the  certificates  to  the  hdld- 
ers,  the  original  and  mofl:  meritorious  proprietors  will  in 
many,  perhaps  in  moft  cafes,  lofe  the  whole. 

It  will  be  very  proper  to  Confider  what  effect  this  will 
have  upon  foreign   nations ;  certainly  it  will  fet  us  in  a 
moil  contemptible  light.  We  are  juft  beginning  to  appear 
among  the  powers  of  the  earth,  and  it  may  be  faid  of  na- 
tional, as  of  private  characters,  th^y  foon  begin  to  form, 
and  when  difadvantageous  ideas  are  formed,  they  are  not 
eafily  altered  or  deftroyed.  In  the  very  inftance  before  us, 
many  of  thefe  certificates  are  pofleiTed  by  the  fubjedts  of 
foreign  princes,  and  indeed  are  in  foreign  parts*  We  mull 
not  think  that  other  fovereigns  will  fuffer  their  fubjedts  to 
be  plundered  in  fo  wanton  and  extravagant  a  manner., 
You  have  on  your  files,  letters  from  the  Count  de  Ver- 
gennes,  on  the  fubjei^  of  your  former  depreciation ;  in 
which  he  tells  you,  that  whatever  liberty  you  take  with 
your  own  fubjedls,  you  mutt  not  think  of  treating  the 
fubje6ts  of  France  in  the  fame  way  ;  and  it  is  not  impoffi- 
ble  that  you  may  hear  upon  this  fubjedt,  what  you  little 
expeft,  when  the  terms  of  peace  are  to  be  fettled.     I  do 
not  in  the  leaft  doubt  that  it  may  be  demanded  that  you 
fliould  pay  to  the  full  of  its  nominal  value,  all  the  money 
as  well  as  loan-office  certificates,  which  fhall  be  found  in 
the  hands  of  the  fubjedts  of  France,  Spain  or  Holland,  and 
it  would  be  perfedtly  juft.     I  have  mentioned  France,  &c. 
but  it  is  not  only  not  impoffible,  but  highly  probable,  that 
by  accident  or  danger,  or  both,  many  of  thefe  loan-office 
certificates  may  be  in  the  hands  of  Englilh  fu bjedls.    Do 
you  think  they  will  not  demand  payment  ?  Do  you  think 
they  will  make  any  difference  betv/een  their  being  before 
or  after  March    ill,  1778  ?    And  v/ill  you  prefent  them 
with  a  fcale  of  depreciation  ?  Remember  the  affair  of  the 
Canada   bills,  in  the  lad  peace  between  England  and 
France' — I  wifli  we  could  take  example  from  our  enemies. 
How  many  fine  differtations  have   we  upon  the  merit  of 
national  truth  and  honor  in  Great-Britain,    Can  we  think 
without  blufliing,  upon  our  contrary  condu(5t  in  the  mat* 
ter  of  finance  ?  By  their  punduality  in  fulfilling  their  en- 
gagements as  to  intereft,  they  have  been  able  to  fupport 


on  the  Finances. 


J45 


a  ^.oad  of  debt  altogether  enormous.  Be  pleafed  ta  obferve^ 
Sir,  that  they  are  not  wholly  without  experience  of  depre- 
ciation :  navy  debentures  and  Tailors'  tickets  have  beeri 
frequently  fold  at  an  half,  and  fometimes  even  at  a  third  ot 
their  value  ;  by  that  means  they  feem  to  be  held  by  that 
clafs  ©f  men  called  by  us  fpeculators.  Did  that  govern- 
ment  ever  think  of  prefenting  the  holders  of  them,  Vv^hea 
they  came  to  be  paid,  with  a  fcale  of  depreciation  ?  The 
very  idea  of  it  would  knock  the  whole  fyftem  of  public 
credit  to  pieces. 

But  the  importance  of  this  matter  will  be  felt  before 
the  end  of  the  war.  We  are  at  this  time  earneftly  foli- 
citing  foreign  loans.  With  what  face  can  weexpedlto 
have  credit  in  foreign  parts,  and  in  future  loans,  after  wd 
have  fo  notorioufly  broken  every  engagement  which  we 
have  hitherto  made  ?  Adifpofuion  to  pay,  and  vifible  pro- 
bable means  of  payment,  are  abfoUuely  necefiary  to  cre- 
dit ;  and  v/here  that  is  once  cflablifhed,  it  is  not  difficult 
to  borrow.  If  it  may  be  a  mean  of  turning  the  attentiort 
of  Congrefs  to  this  fubjeiEl,  I  beg  of  them  to  obferve,  that 
if  they  could  but  lay  down  a  foundation  of  credit,  they 
would  get  money  enough  to  borrow  in  this  country,  where 
we  are.  There  is  property  enough  here  ;  and,  compara- 
tively fpeaking,  there  is  a  greater  number  of  perfons  here 
who  v/ould  prefer  money  at  interell  to  purchafmg  and 
holding  real  eflates.  The  ideas  of  all  old  country  people 
are  high  in  favor  of  real  eflate.  Though  the  interell  of 
money,  even  upon  the  very  bed  fecurity  there,  is  from 
four  to  four  and  a  half,  four  and  three  quarters  and  five 
per  centum  ;  yet  when  any  real  eRate  is  to  be  fold,  there 
will  be  ten  purchafers  where  one  only  can  obtain  it,  and 
it  will  colt  fo  much  as  not  to  bring  more  than  two,  two 
and  a  half,  and  at  mod  three  per  centum. 

It  is  quite  otherwife  in  this  country,  and  indeed  it  ought 
to  be  otherwife.  To  purchafe  an  ellate  in  the  cultivated 
parts  of  the  country,  except  what  a  man  pofieifes  himfelf, 
will  not  be  near  fo  profitable  as  the  intereft  of  money  ; 
and  in  many  cafes  where  it  is  rented  out,  it  is  fo  vvaikd 
and  worn  by  the  tenant,  that  it  would  be  a  greater  profit 
at  the  end  of  fevcn  years,  that  the  land  had  been  left  to  it- 

Vol.  IV.  X  x 


34^  Speech  in  Congress^  yc, 

felf,  to  bear  woods  and  buflies  that  iliould  rot  upon. the 
ground,  without  any  rent  at  all.  Any  body  alfo  may  fee, 
that  it  is  almoO:  univerfal  in  this  country,  when  a  man 
dies  leaving  infant  children,  that  the  executors  fell  all  his 
property  to  turn  it  into  money,  and  put  it  in  fecurities  for 
cafy  and  equal  divifion. 

All  thefe  things,  Mr.  Prefident,  proceed  upon  certain 
tind  indubitable  principles,  which  never  fail  of  their  effeQ. 
Therefore,  you  have  only  to  make  your  payments  as  foon, 
as  regular,  and  as  profitable  as  other  borrowers,  and  you 
will  get  all  the  money  you  want ;  and  by  a  fmall  advan- 
tage over  others,  it  will  be  poured  in  upon  you,  fo  that 
you  fhall  not  need  to  go  to  the  lenders,  for  they  will  come 
to  you. 


C     347     ] 


PART    OF    A 


SPEECH    IN     CONGRESS, 


UPON    THE 


CONFEDERATION. 


THE  abfolute  neceffity  of  union  to  the  vigor  and  fuc- 
cefs  of  thofe  meafures  on  which  we  are  alread}^ 
entered,  is  felt  and  confefled  by  every  one  of  us,  without 
exception  ;  fo  far,  indeed,  that  thofe  who  have  exprefled 
their  fears  or  fufpicions  of  the  exifting  confederacy  prov- 
ing abortive,  have  yet  agreed  in  faying  that  there  muft 
and  (hall  be  a  confederacy  for  the  purpofes  of,  and  till  the 
finifhing  of  this  war.  So  far  is  well  ;  and  fo  far  it  is 
pleafing  to  hear  them  exprefs  their  fentiments.  But  I 
intreat  gentlemen  calmly  to  confider  how  far  the  giving 
up  all  hopes  of  a  laRing  confederacy  among  thefe  ftates, 
for  their  future  fecurity  and  improvement,  will  have  an 
effedl  upon  the  (lability  and  e(Ecacy  of  even  the  tempora- 
ry confederacy,  which  all  acknowledge  to  be  neceflTary  ? 
I  am  fully  perfuaded,  that  when  it  ceafes  to  be  generally 
known,  that  the  delegates  of  the  provinces  confider  a  lad- 
ing union  as  impraQicable,  it  will  greatly  derange  the 
minds  of  the  people,  and  weaken  their  hands  in  defence 
of  their  country,  which  they  have  now  undertaken  with  fo 
much  alacrity  and  fpirit,  I  confefs  it  would  to  me  great- 
ly  dimini(h  the  glory  and  importance  of  the  ilruggle, 


3  48  Speech  in  Congress 

V/liether  confidered  as  for  the  rights  of  mankind  in  gene? 
ral,  or  for  the  profperity  and  happinefs  of  this  continent 
in  future  times. 

It  would  quite  depreciate  the  obje6l  of  hope,  as  well  as 
place  it  at  a  greater  diftance.  For  what  would  it  fignify 
to  rifle  our  pofleffions  and  (hed  our  blood  to  fet  ourfelves 
free  from  the  ^encroachments  and  oppreffion  of  Grestt- 
Britain — with  a  certainty,  as  foon  as  peace  was  fettled 
with  them  of  a  more  lading  war,  a  more  unnatural,  more 
bloody,  and  much  more  hopelefs  war,  among  the  colonies 
themfelves  ?— Some  of  us  confider  ourfelves  as  a6ling  for 
pofterity  at  prefent,  having  little  expectation  of  living  to 
}ee  all  things  fully  fettled,  and  the  good  confequences  of 
liberty  taking  effect.  Biit  how  much  more  uncertain  the 
hope  of  feeing  the  internal  contefts  of  the  colonies  fettled 
upon  a  lading  and  equitable  footing  ? 

One  of  the  greateil  dangers  I  have  always  confidered 
the  colonies  as  expofed  to  at  prefent,  is  treachery  among 
themfelves,  augmented  by  bribery  and  corruption  frorn 
our  enemies.  But  what  force  would  be  added  to  the  ar- 
guments of  feducers,  if  they  could  fay  with  truth,  that  it 
ivas  of  no  confequence  whether  we  fucceeded  againfl: 
Great-Britain,  or  not ;  for  we  mufl,  in  the  end,  be  fubjedt- 
ed,  the  greateil  part  of  us,  to  the  power  of  one  or  more  of 
the  ftrongefl  or  largefl  of  the  American  dates  ?  And  here  I 
would  apply  the  argument  which  we  have  fo  often  ufed  a- 
^aind  Great-Britain — that  in  all  hidory  we  fee  that  the 
ilaves  of  freemen,  and  the  fubje61:  dates  of  republics,  have 
been  of  all  others  the  mod  grievoufly  opprefled.  I  do  not 
think  the  records  of  time  can  produce  an  indance  of  flaves 
treated  with  fo  much  barbarity  as  the  Helptes  by  the  Lace- 
demonians, who  were  the  mod  illudrious  champions  for 
liberty  in  all  Greece  ;  or  of  provinces  more  plundered  and 
fpoiled  than  the  dates  conquered  by  the  Romans,  for  one 
hundred  years  before  C^far's  di&atorlhip.  The  rcafon  is 
plain  ^  there  are  many  great  men  in  free  dates.  There 
were  many  confular  gentlemen  in  that  great  republic,  who 
^11  confidered  themfelves  as  greater  than  kings,  and  mud 
"bave  kingly  fortunes,  which  they  had  no  other  way  of 


upon  the  Confederation*  349 

acquiring  but  by  governments  of  provinces,  which  lafted 
generally  but  one  year,  and  feldom  more  than  two. 

In  what  I  have  already  laid,  or  may  fay,  or  any  cafes  I 
may  ilate,  I  hope  every  gentleman  will  do  me  the  juftice 
to  believe  that  I  have  not  the  mod  dillant  view  to  particular 
perfons  or  focieties,  and  mean  only  to  reafon  from  the  ufual 
courfe  of  things,  and  the  prejudices  infeparable  from  men 
as  fuch.  And  can  we  help  faying,  that  there  will  be  a  much 
greater  degree,  not  only  of  the  corruption  of  particular  per- 
ibnc,  but  the  defed^ion  of  particular  provinces  from  the  pre- 
fent  confederacy,  if  they  confider  our  fuccefs  itfelf  as  only 
a  prelude  to  conteil:  of  a  more  dreadful  nature,  and  indeed 
much  more  properly  a  civil  war  than  that  which  now  often 
obtains  the  name  ?  Mull  not  fmall  colonies  in  particular 
be  in  danger  of  faying,  we  mud  fecure  ourfelves  ?  If  the 
colonies  are  independent  dates,  feparate  and  difunited, 
after  this  war,  we  may  be  fure  of  coming  oft'  by  the  worfe. 
We  are  in  no  condition  to  contend  with  feveral  of  them. 
Oar  trade  in  general,  and  our  trade  with  them,  mud  be 
upon  fuch  terms  as  they  diall  be  pleafed  to  prefcribe.— 
What  will  be  the  confequence  of  this  ?  Will  they  not  be 
ready  to  prefer  putting  themfelves  under  the  protection  of 
Great-Britain,  France  or  Holland,  rather  than  fubmit  to 
the  tyranny  of  their  neighbors,  who  were  lately  their 
equals  ?  Nor  would  it  be  at  ail  impoflible,  that  they  fliould 
enter  into  fuch  rafli  engagements  as  would  prove  their  own 
dedruclion,  from  a  mixture  of  apprehended  necefiity  and 
real  refentment. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  thought  that  breaking  off  this  confe- 
deracy,  and  leaving  it  undniihed  after  we  have  entered 
upon  it,  will  be  only  poftponing  the  duty  to  fome  future 
period  ?  Alas,  nothing  can  exceed  the  abfurdity  of  that 
iuppofition.  Does  not  all  hidory  cry  out,  that  a  common 
danger  is  the  great  and  only  effedual  means  of  fettling 
diiTiculties,  and  compofing  differences.  Have  we  notexr 
perienced  its  efficacy  in  producing  fuch  a  degree  of  union 
through  thefe  colonies,  as  nobody  v/ould  have  prophefied, 
and  hardly  any  would  have  expelled  ? 

If  therefore,  at  prefent,  when  the  danger  is  yet  immi- 
nent, v/hen  i:  is  io  far  from  being  over,  that  it  is  but 


350  Speech  in  Congress 

coming  to  its  height,  we  fhall  find  it  impoflible  to  agree 
upon  the  terms  of  this  confederacy,  what  madnefs  is  it  to 
iuppofe  that  there  ever  will  be  a  time,  or  that  circumllan- 
ces  will  fo  change,  as  to  make  it  even  probable,  that  it 
will  be  done  at  an  after  feafon  ?  Will  not  the  very  fame 
difficulties  that  are  in  our  way,  be  in  the  way  of  thofe  who 
ihall  come  after  us  ?  Is  it  poffible  that  they  fhould  be  ig- 
norant of  them,  or  inattentive  to  them  ?  Will  they  not 
have  the  fame  jealoufies  of  each  other,  the  fame  attach- 
ment to  local  prejudices,  and  particular  intereft  ?  So  cer- 
tain is  this,  that  I  look  upon  it  as  on  the  repentance  of  a 
fmner — Every  day's  delay,  though  it  adds  to  the  neceflity, 
yet  augments  the  difficulty,  and  takes  from  the  inclina- 
tion. 

There  is  one  thing  that  has  been  thrown  out,  by  which 
fome  feem  to  perfuade  themfelves  of,  and  others  to  be 
more  indifferent  about  the  fuccefs  of  a  confederacy — 
that  from  the  nature  of  men,  it  is  to  be  expeded  that  a 
time  muft  come  when  it  will  be  diflblved  and  broken  in 
pieces.  1  am  none  of  thofe  who  either  deny  or  conceal 
the  depravity  of  human  nature,  till  it  is  purified  by  the 
light  of  truth,  and  renewed  by  the  Spirit  of  the  living 
God.  Yet  I  apprehend  there  is  no  force  in  that  reafon- 
ing  at  all.  Shall  we  ellablifh  nothing  good,  becaufe  we 
know  it  cannot  be  eternal  ?  Shall  we  live  without  go- 
vernment, becaufe  every  conftitution  has  its  old  age,  and 
its  period  ?  Becaufe  we  know  that  we  fhall  die,  fliall 
we  take  no  pains  to  preferve  or  lengthen  out  life  ?  Far 
from  it,  fir  :  it  only  requires  the  more  watchful  attention, 
to  fettle  government  upon  the  beft  principles,  and  in  the 
wifefi:  manner,  that  it  may  lad  as  long  as  the  nature  of 
things  will  adn^it. 

But  I  beg  leave  to  fay  fomething  more,  though  with 
fome  rifle  that  it  will  be  thought  vifionary  and  romantic. 
I  do  expea,  Mr.  Prcfident,  a  progrefs,  as  in  every  other 
human  art,  fo  in  the  order  and  perfedicn  of  human  fo- 
ciety,  greater  than  we  have  yet  feen  :  and  why  lliould 
we  be  wanting  to  ourfelves  in  urging  it  forward.  It  is 
certain,  I  think,  that  human  fcience  and  religion  have 
kept  company  together,  and  greatly  affided  each  other's 


upon  the  Confederation.  351 

progrefs  in  the  world.  I  do  not  fay  that  intelle^lual  and 
moral  qualities  are  in  the  lame  proportion  in  particular 
perfons  ;  but  they  have  a  great  and  friendly  influence 
upon  one  another,  in  focictics  and  larger  bodies. 

There  have  been  great  improvements,  not  only  in  hu- 
man knowledge,  but  in  human  nature  ;  the  progrefs  of 
which  can  be  eafily  traced  in  hiflory.  Every  body  is  able 
to  look  back  to  the  tinr»e  in  Europe,  when  the  liberal  fen- 
timents  that  now  prevail  upon  the  rights  of  confcience, 
would  have  been  looked  upon  as  abfurd.  It  is  but  little  a- 
bove  two  hundred  years  fmce  that  enlarged  fyftem  called 
the  balance  of  power,  took  place  :  and  I  maintain,  that  it 
is  a  greater  (lep  from  the  former  difunited  and  hoflile 
fituation  of  kingdoms  and  dates,  to  their  prefent  condi- 
tion, than  it  would  be  from  their  prefent  condition  to  a 
flate  of  more  perfect  and  lading  union.  It  is  not  impofli- 
ble,  that  in  future  times  all  the  dates  on  one  quarter  of  the 
globe,  may  fee  it  proper  by  fome  plan  of  union,  to  perpe- 
tuate fecurity  and  peace  :  and  fure  I  am,  a  well  planned 
confederacy  among  the  dates  of  America,  may  hand  down 
the  bleflings  of  peace  and  public  order  to  many  genera- 
tions. The  union  of  the  feven  provinces  of  the  Low 
Countries,  has  never  yet  been  broken  ;  and  they  are  of 
very  different  degrees  of  drength  and  wealth.  Neither 
have  the  Cantons  of  Switzerland  ever  broken  among 
themfelves,  though  there  are  fome  of  them  protedants, 
and  fome  of  them  papids,  by  public  edablifiiment.  Not 
only  {0^  but  thefe  confederacies  are  feidom  engaged  in  a 
war  with  other  nations.  Wars  are  generally  between  mo- 
narchs,  or  dngle  dates  that  are  large.  A  confederation  of 
itfelf  keeps  war  at  a  didance  from  the  bodies  of  which  it  is 
compofed. 

For  all  thefe  reafons,  fir,  I  humbly  apprehend  that  eve- 
ry argument  from  honor,  inicred,  fafety  and  necedtt}', 
confpire  in  prelling  us  to  a  confederacy  ;  and  if  it  be  feri- 
oufly  attempted,  I  hope,  by  the  blefling  of  God  upon  our 
endeavors,  it  will  be  happily  accomplidied.        —        — 


C     353     ] 


v->. 


SPEECH     IN     CONGRESS, 


CN    THE    AFFOINTMEKT    OP 


PLENIPOTENTIARIES. 


Mr.    PRESIDENT) 

I  AM  forry  to  obferve,  that  after  going  through  the  in- 
HruiSlions  to  be  given  to  our  plenipotentiary  or  pleni- 
potentiaries, we  iliould  have  To  warm  a  debate,  and  in- 
deed feem  to  be  fo  equally  divided  upon  the  queilion, 
whether  there  fiiould  be  one  or  more,  to  whom  we  will 
entrufl  the  negociation. 

As  to  the  practice  of  European  nations,  I  believe  it  is 
fo  various  as  not  to  afFord  any  argument  on  one  fide  or 
the  other:  we  may  appoint  one  or  more— there  will  be 
nothing  fiagular  or  remarkable  in  it,  h  as  to. make  our 
conduct  look  like  ignorance  in  fuch  matters.  I  am  in- 
clined to  think,  howciver,  that  negociations  are  generally 
condu<f\ed  near  to  their  conclufion,  by  one  confidential 
perfon,  though  after  the  more  important  preliminaries  are 
fettled,  more  may  be  fometimes  appointed,  to  give  greater 
folcmnity  to  the  conclufion.  We  are  therefore  at  liberty 
to  determine  ourfelves  wholly  by  the  general  reafon  and 
nature  of  the  thing,  and  c  jr  own  particular  circumflances. 

As  to  the  firfl:  of  thefe,  on  the  fide  of  one  perfon,  it  may 
be  faid,  there  v/ill  be  more  precifion,  more  expedition, 
more  uniformity,  and  more  certainty  of  agreement  with 
others  and  confiilency  with  himfelf.  And  the  perfon  whom 

Vol.  IV.'  Yy        " 


354  On  the  Appointment 

we  have  employed,  is  a  man  of  found  and  clear  under- 
landing,  and  has  had  the  advantage  of  being  a  long  time  in 
Europe,  and  no  doubt  has  been  turning  his  thoughts,  and 
making  enquiries,  upon  the  fubject  ever  fmce  he  went 
there  ;  {o  that  we  may  fuppofe  him  pretty  ripely  advifed. 

On  the  other  fide,  it  may  be  faid,  that,  if  alone,  he 
might  be  at  a  lofs  ;  and  that  it  would  be  of  advantage  to 
him  to  have  the  advice  of  others.  It  is  even  faid,  that 
there  is  a  neceflity  of  others  better  acquainted  with  parts 
of  the  country  different  from  thofe  with  which  he  has  been 
chiefly  conne6led. — As  to  council,  that  does  not  ftrike 
me  much — perhaps  there  is  greater  fafety  in  one  than 
three ;  becaufe  he  is  fully  refponfible  ;  whereas  if  a  com- 
mon council  is  taken,  the  blame  is  divided,  and  every 
one  is  lefs  difficulted  to  jullify  his  conduft  in  the  iffue, 
Befides,  is  there  no  danger  to  the  caufe  itfelf,  from  an  ob- 
ftinate  divifion  of  fentiments  in  thofe  who  are  entrulled 
with  the  condu6l  of  it  ?  This  would  expofe  us,  in  the 
opinion  of  thofe  whoobferved  it,  and  might  perhaps  give 
lefs  refpe^l  to  what  each  or  all  of  them  might  fay  or  do. 
•  As  to  the  neceffity  of  perfons  from  different  parts  of  the 
country,  it  is  not  eafy  to  conceive  what  circumffances, 
in  a  negociation  of  this  kind,  can  be  peculiar  to  one  part 
of  the  country  more  than  another.  If  it  were  to  make 
rules  for  the  internal  government,  taxation,  or  commerce 
of  the  ftates,  there  would  be  fome  force  in  the  remark ; 
but  when  it  is  only  to  make  peace  for  the  liberty  and  pro- 
tetSlion  of  all,  there  feems  to  be  little  weight  in  it. 

But  now  let  us  confider  our  particular  circumftances. 
Mention  has  been  made  of  the  difference  between  Mr. 
Adams  and  the  count  de  Vergennes.  1  have  given  parti- 
cular attention  to  all  that  was  faid  in  his  letter  upon  that 
fubjedl,  and  all  that  has  been  faid  by  the  minifler  of 
France  here  ;  and  there  was  not  one  hint  given  that  could 
lead  us  to  think  it  was  their  defire  or  expedation  that  he 
fhould  be  difmilfed  or  fuperfeded,  or  even  bridled  by  the 
addition  of  others  in  the  comminion.  We  have  fully 
complied  with  their  defire  upon  this  fubje£l,  in  the  in- 
flrudions.  There  is  the  greateft  reafon  to  think  that  they 
are  well  fatisfied  upon  it.     But  if  we  Ihould  Hill  go  further, 


cff  Plenipotentiaries,  355 

and  either  difcharge  him,  or  do  what  is  in  fubflance  the 
fame,  or  might  be  fuppdfed  or  conceived  by  him  to  be 
the  fame,  this   would  be  rather  an  adl:  of  too  great  obfe- 
quioufnefs,  and  but  an  ill  example  for  the  future  condudt 
of  our  affairs.     What  we  do  now,  will  be  often  mention- 
ed in  after  times;   and  if  the  like  prai^ice  prevail,  it  will 
difcourage  public  fervants  from  fidelity,  and  lelTen  their 
dignity  and  firmnefs.     There  is  alfo  fome  reafon  to  fear 
that  there  may  not  be  the  moft  perfed  agreement  among 
them  ;  and  if  a  jealoufy  in  point  of  alfedion  between  them 
Ihould  arife,  it  might  be  Hill  more  fatal  than  a  difference 
in  opinion.     You  may  obferve,  that  Dr.   Franklin  parti- 
cularly mentions  the  impropriety  of  having  more  minif- 
ters  than  one,  at  one  court  and  in  the  fame  place.     We 
have  felt  the  bad  confequences  of  that  already  in  more  in- 
fiances  than  one.     Congrefs  were  led  into  fuch  fleps  as 
ended  in  our  parting  with  Mr.  Lee,  chiefly  by  the  argu- 
ment of  his  being  difagreeable  to  the  French  court ;  and 
though  he  was  in  my  opinion  one  of  the  moft  able,  faith- 
ful and  adlive  fervants  we  ever  had,  and  certainly  one  of 
the  moft  difmterefted — he  was  but  barely  able  to  go  off, 
with  a  cold  ceremonial  adieu,  that  had  very  little  in  it  of 
a  grateful  fenfe  of  his  fervices,  or  cordial  approbation.   It 
is  not  pleafant  to  refledi,  Mr.  Prefident,  that  fo  early  in  the 
hiftory  of  this  new  ftate,  perfons  in  public  employment 
Ihould  be  fo  prone  to  enter  into  ambitious  contention, 
and  pufh  one  another  into  difgrace. 

I  cannot  help  putting  you  in  mind,  upon  this  fubjeft, 
of  what  has  juft  now  come  to  light.  You  are  informed  by 
the  French  court,  in  the  moft  authentic  manner,  and  in- 
deed if  I  am  not  miftaken  it  is  by  implication  at  leaft  in 
the  king's  letter,  that  you  had  been  ill  ferved  by  the  peo. 
pie  you  employed  there,  and  cheated  both  in  point  of  qua- 
lity and  price  ;  and  that  on  this  account  they  intend  to  give 
directions  on  that  fubjedl  themfelves.  Now,  fir,  perhaps  it 
tnay  be  news  to  many  members  of  this  body,  that  thefe 
were  the  very  contrails  made  by  Mr.  Dean,  without  the 
knowledge  or  confent  of  Mr.  Lee,  of  which  Mr.  Lee 
loudly  complained.  Thefe  were  the  very  fervants  whofe 
accounts  Mr.  Lee  objedtcd  to,  and  whofe  conduct  he  cen- 


356  On  the  Appointment 

fured.  But  what  did  he  get  by  it  ?  Mr.  Dean  was  fuppert,. 
ed  by  his  venerable  old  friend,  as  he  called  him  :  Mr.  Lea 
was  complained  of,  as  jealous  and  troublefome,  and  difa- 
greeable  to  the  court  of  France  ;  and  not  only  oppofed 
-and  flighted  by  many  members  of  this  houfe,  but  I  may 
fay  attacked  and  perfecuted  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  if  he 
had  not  been  fupported  with  a  generous  franknefs  by 
others,  might  have  ended  in  public  infamy, 

I  have  juil  further  upon  this  fubjed  to  obferve,  that  you 
very  lately  fent  a  new  miniller  to  the  French  court,  Mr. 
Laurens— a  meafure  much  difapproved  by  many  ;  and  it 
was  then  foretold,  it  would  be  a  difgraceful  thing  to  Dr. 
Franklin-  Probably  he  has  conceived  it  in  that  light ; 
and  as  he  has  no  defire  at  all  to  return  home,  I  am  well 
convinced  that  this  is  the  true  caufe  of  the  defire  exprefled 
in  his  lafl  letter  to  refign  his  commiiTion^ 

Some  have  mentioned  the  importance  of  the  matter, 
and  that  the  chance  is  greater  againft  corruption,  where 
three  are  to  be  taken  ofF,  than  one.  It  is  very  true,  that 
celeries  paribus^  as  is  commonly  faid,  there  is  a  greater 
chance  for  one  incorruptible  perfon  in  three  than  in  one  ; 
but  there  are  fmgle  perfons  in  whom  I  v-^ould  confide  as 
snuch  as  in  ten.  And  befides,  the  thing  may  be  taken  the 
other  way  ;  for  there  is  a  greater  chance  of  finding  one 
corruptible  perfon  in  three  than  in  one  ;  and  in  a  commif- 
fion  of  that  nature,  one  traitor  is  able  to  do  much  mif- 
chief,  though  the  others  are  perfedly  upright.  He,  being 
admitted  into  the  fecret,  may  not  only  difclofe  meafures, 
but  perplex  them,  let  the  abilities  of  his  colleagues  'be 
what  they  will.  I  have  feen  a  man  in  Congrefs,  who  up- 
on the  fupi^ofition  of  his  being  a  traitor,  I  am  fure  had  ad- 
drefs  enough  to  draw  many  into  his  meafures — many  not 
contemptible  in  underllanding,  and  fincerely  attached  to 
their  country's  caufe. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  would  fay  a  little  upon  our  circum^ 
fiances  in  another  refped.  The  firft  appearances  we 
make  upon  the  public  t'lage,  are  of  confequence.  It  is  to 
be  wifiied  therefore,  that  the  credit  of  the  United  States 
were  confulted.  .If  we  were  fure  that  our  commiflioner^ 
would  be  immediately  admitted  to  public  and  co-o/dinate 


of  Plenipotentiaries,  357 

fefTion  with  the  other  plenipotentiaries,  perhaps  a  commif- 
iion  of  three  would  be  augufl  and  honorable  ;  but  if,  as  I 
lirongly  fufpe6l  will  be  the  cafe,  they  are  not  at  firfl  pub- 
licly admitted  at  all,  but  obliged  to  negociate  through  the 
plenipotentiaries  of  France — if,  as  is  not  impofFible,  even 
in  the  fettlement  of  the  treaty,  we  are  not  confidered  as 
the  formal  contracting  parties  at  all,  but  our  Interefl  at- 
tended to  in  articles  as  it  were  occafionally  introduced — 
if  this  is  done,  as  a  falvo  to  the  honor  of  England,  and  to 
purchafe  for  us  advantages  fubRiintial  and  durable,  a 
pompous  commiflion  to  a  number  of  delegates  will  rather 
leffen  our  dignity,  and  detract  from  our  wifdom  and  cau- 
tion. 

Upon  the  whole,  fir,  I  am  of  opinion  that  it  would  be 
much  better  to  affign  to  one  the  commiiTion  already  given, 
with  the  inftrudtions  which  have  been  cordially  agreed 
upon,  and  feem  to  be  in  every  refpect  agreeable  to  the 
defires  of  the  court  of  France,  and  the  opinion  oi  the 
king's  minifter  in  this  country. 


L  359  1 

ON  THE 

PROPOSED  MARKET 

IN 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON'S  CAMP. 


To  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  and  the  Officen 
of  the  American  Army. 

SIR, 

ABOUT  ten  days  ago,  I  was  informed  that  you  were 
confulting  with  the  farmers  in  the  neighbourhood, 
and  laying  a  plan  for  holding  a  market  at  the  camp.  This 
was  to  me,  the  mod  pleafmgnews  I  had  heard  from  camp 
for  a  long  time.  I  fuppofed  that  you  had  now  difcovered 
the  true  and  proper  way  of  providing  comforts  and  refrefh- 
ments  to  your  foldiers,  which,  pardon  me,  I  think  has  hi- 
therto, in  God's  mod  holy  will,  been  hid  from  your  eyes. 
Lad  week's  news-paper  brought  us  the  plan,  in  which  I 
have  been  fo  much  difappointed,  that  I  have  taken  pen  in 
hand,  to  make  a  few  remarks  upon  it,  and  fubmit  them  to 
your  view.  Reft  afTured  that  they  come  from  a  firm  friend 
to  American  liberty,  who  has  felt  the  tyranny  of  general 
Howe,  and  therefore  holds  him  and  his  caufe  in  deCeftation. 
You  are  not  to  expe^l  from  a  plain  country  fiirmer,  high 
founding  language,  and  well  turned  phrafes — It  is  poflible 
I  may  be  held  in  derifion  for  this,  by  fome  of  your  learned 
generals  ;  for  I  am  told  you  have  fome  who  can  write  full 
as  well  as  they  can  fight,  perhaps  better  ;  be  that  however 
as  it  may,  I  mean  to  write  only  of  what  I  think  I  under- 
hand, and  fhall  make  ufe  of  the  plained  words  poflible, 
that  I  may  be  underdood. 


3  6o  On  the  proposed  Market 

I  mufl  begin  by  faying,  that  if  you  are  under  any  dif- 
ficulty  in  fupplying  your  army,  either  with  the  neceflaries 
or  convenieiicies  of  life,  it  is  wholly  owing  to  miftaken 
principles,  or  unfaithful  condudt  in  the  manner  of  pro- 
curing them.  You  are  in  the  midft  of  a  plentiful  country^ 
— You  command  it  by  your  fvyord,  except  a  fmall  fpot  in 
which  the  enemy  is  confined  ;  and  I  moil  heartily  wifh 
you  would  pen  them  in  clofer  than  you  do. — You  have 
aJfothe  hearts  of  the  country  ;  for  let  people  talk  as  they 
pleafe  of  the  number  of  tories,  they  are  altogether  incon* 
iiderable  to  the  friends  of  liberty,  in  every  {late  in  this  con- 
tinent. When  the  Englifh  army  leaves  any  place,  we  do 
not  need  your  army  to  conquer  it  for  us.  All  that  were 
friends  to  them,  fly  with  them,  or  Ikulk  into  corners, 
trembling  for  their  lives.  Let  us  confider  then  how  the 
matter  (lands — Your  army  confifis,  I  fliall  fuppofe  at  pre- 
fent,  of  20,000  men  ;  for  though  it  was  confiderably  lar- 
ger lately,  I  reckon  from  the  number  gone  home  on  re- 
cruiting parties,  and  for  other  reafons,  that  may  be  about 
or  near  the  truth.  Suppofe  it  however  25,000  ;  if  thefe 
were  diflributed  one  in  every  houfe,  for  the  twenty-five 
thoufand  houfesthat  are  neareft  to  the  camp,  they  would 
not  reach  fo  far  eaft  as  the  Delaware,  nor  fo  far  wefl  as 
Lancafler;  and  though  no  provifions  were  brought  into 
that  fpace  on  their  account,  they  could  be  well  fed,  and 
the  burden  never  felt.  This  Ihows  that  the  whole  diffi- 
culty arifesfrom  the  neceiUvy  of  procuring  and  rranfport- 
ing  provifions  tofuch  a  number  of  men  colIe6led  together 
in  one  place,  a  difficulty  which  one  would  think  might  be 
eafily  furmcunted.  It  is  not  my  intention  at  prefent,  to 
make  remarks  on  the  commiffary's  department  for  fup- 
plying the  capital  necelTaries,  though  I  want  not  inclina- 
tion.  Suffice  it  to  fay,  that  for  refrefliments  and  fmaller 
neceiTaries,  you  are  nov/  making  an  attempt  towards  the 
only  efl'eduil  way,  viz.  a  market,  or  in  other  words,  in-^ 
viting  people  to  bring  them  to  you  of  their  own  accord. 

Now,  Sir,  I  have  read  and  confidered  your  plan,  the 
chief  part  of  which  is  fettling  the  prices  of  a  variety  of  ar- 
ticles, which  it  is  expedled  will  be  expofed  to  fale.  Fix- 
ing the  price  of  commodities,  has  been  attempted  by  kw* 


m  General  IFixshingtmi'^  Camp.  36I 

la  feveral  dates  among  us,  and  it  has  Increafed  the  evil  it 
vvas  meant  to  remedy,  as  the  lame  practice  ever  has  done 
fince  the  beginninj^  of  the  world.     Such  laws,  when  they 
only  fay  men  ihall  be  punKhed  if  they  fell  at  any  higher 
prices  than  the  le^ial,  and  that  if  any  will  not  fell  at  thefe 
prices,  their  goods  fliall  be  taken  by  force,  have  fome 
meaning  in  them,  though  little  wifdom  :  but  to  publifli  21 
lid  of  fixed  prices,  as  an  encouragement  to  a  weekly  mar- 
ket,  is  a  new  Itrain  of  policy  indeed.     If  people  bring 
their  goods  to  market,  and,  are  willing  to  fell  them  at  thefe, 
or  lower  prices,  is  not  that  enough  ?  and  if  they  are  not 
willing  to  fell,  how  diall  they  be  made  willing  to  come  ? 
Probably  you  were  told  thefe  were  reafonable  prices  ;  now 
i  ihall  be  glad  to  know  what  you  call  a  reafonable  price. 
if  it  be  that  which  is  proportioned  to  the  demand  on  the 
one  fide,  and  the  plenty  or  fcarcity  of  goods  on  the  other, 
I  agree  to  it ;   but  1  affirm  that  this  will  fix  of  itfelf,  by  the 
confent  of  the  buyer  and  feller,  better  than  it  can  be  done 
by  any  politician  upon  earth*     If  you  mean  any  thing  elfe, 
it  fignifies  nothing  at  all^  whether  itht reasonable ov not i 
for  if  it  is  not  agreeable^  as  well  as  reafonable,  you  might 
have  one  market  day,  but  not  a  fecond.     There  are  forne 
things  which  are  not  the  objedl  of  human  laws,  and  fuch 
are  all  thole  that  effentially  depend  for  their  fuccefs  upon 
inward  inclination.     Laws,  force,  or  any  kind  of  limita- 
tion, are  fo  far  from  having  any  tendency  of  themfelves, 
to  perfuade  or  incline,  that  they  diave  generally  the  con- 
trary effedt.     It  would  be  much  to  the  advantage  of  many- 
lawgivers   and  other  perfons  in  authority,   if  they  vvould 
carefully  diftinguifla  between  what  is  to  be  efFedled  by  force, 
and  what  by   perfuafion,  and   never  prepofteroufly   mix 
thefe  opponte  principles,  and  defeat  the  operation  of  both. 
Laws  and  authority  compel;  but  it  is  reafon  and  intcreft 
that  mull  perfuade. 

The  fixing  of  prices  by  authority,  is  not  only  impolitic^ 
as  I  have  fliewn  above,  but  it  is  in  itfelf  unreafonable  and 
gibfurd.  There  are  fo  many  different  circum.dances  to  bs 
taken  in  to  conflitute  equality  or  ju dice  in  fuch  matters, 
that  they  cannot  be  all  attended  to,  or  even  afcertained. 
The  plenty  of  pne  kind  of  provifion^  and  fcarcity  of  ano< 

You  IV.  2  z 


362  071  the  proposed  Marhty  ^c. 

ther— The  plenty  in  one  corner  of  the  country,  and  fcarf 
city  in  another — the  diflance  of  one  place,  and  nearnefa 
of  another^ — The  changes  of  circum fiances  in  the  courfe 
of  a  few  weeks  or  days — Good  or  bad  roads,  or  good  or 
bad  weather — The  comparative  quality  of  the  goods — 
Thefe,  and  an  hundred  other  circumftances  which  can  ne- 
ver  be  forefeen,  aftaally  govern  the  prices  of  goods  at 
market,  and  ought  to  govern  them.  If  a  price  is  juft  to 
one  who  brings  his  goods  fifteen  miles,  it  is  certainly  too 
much  for  one  who  brings  them  only  one.  If  ten  pence 
per  pound  is  a  juft  price  for  veal  at  prefent,  I  am  certain 
it  muft  be  too  much  a  month  hence,  when  veal  will  be 
much  more  plentiful.  If  or^  ihilling  and  four  pence  per 
pound  is  reafonable  for  a  fat  turkey,  ought  not  I  to  have 
more  for  a  fatter,  which  is  both  better  in  its  quality  and 
weight — being  lighter  to  its  bulk,  becaufe  fat  is  not  fo  hea- 
vy as  either  lean  flefh  or  bones.  If  it  is  reafonable  to  pay 
me  one  Ihilling  per  pound  for  any  meat  in  a  good  day,  I 
lliall  expe6l  more  if  I  go  out  in  a  florm  ;  if  not,  I  will 
ftay  at  home  on  a  bad  day,  and  fo  you  muft  ftarve  one 
week,  and  pamper  the  next. 

All  thefe  circumftances  you  muft  allow  to  reftrain  and 
limit  one  another.  He  who  is  neareft,  and  has  goods  in 
plenty,  will  by  felling  cheap,  moderate  the  demands  of 
him  who  comes  far.  If  you  pay  very  dear  for  any  article 
one  day,  the  news  of  that  fpreading  abroad,  brings  in  pro- 
digious quantities,  and  the  price  falls,  and  fo  it  happens  in 
every  other  cafe.  Thus  it  appears  that  it  is  out  of  your 
power  to  tell  what  is  a  reafonable  price,  and  by  attempt- 
ing to  do  it,  you  not  only  refufe  to  gratify  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  peDple,  but  you  treat  them  with  unjuftice. 

I  have  one  more  remark  to  make  upon  this  fubje6l ; 
that  to  fix  the  prices  of  goods,  efpecially  provifions  in  a 
market,  is  as  impradlicable  as  it  is  unreafonable.  The 
whole  perfons  concerned,  buyers  and  fellers,  will  ufe  eve- 
ry art  to  defeat  it,  and  will  certainly  fucceed. —  — - 


C   363   3 


ADDRESS 


TO 


GENERAL    WASHINGTON, 


THE  Prefident  and  Faculty  of  the  College  of  New  • 
Jerfey,  beg  leave  to  embrace  this  opportunity  of 
congratulating  your  Excellency  on  the  prefent  happy  and 
promifmg  (late  of  public  affairs  ;  and  of  fmcerely  wilhing 
you  profperity  and  fuccefs  in  the  enfuing  campaign,  and 
in  what  may  yet  remain  of  the  important  conflid  in  which 
the  United  States  are  engaged. 

As  this  College,  devoted  to  the  interefts  of  religion  and 
learning,  was  among  thefirft  places  of  America,  that  fuf- 
fered  from  the  ravages  of  the  enemy — fo,  happily,  this 
place  and  neighbourhood  was  the  fcene  of  one  of  the  moft 
important  and  feafonable  checks  which  they  received  in 
their  progrefs.  The  furprife  of  the  Heffians  at  Trenton, 
and  the  fubfequent  vi£lory  at  Princeton,  redounded  much 
to  the  honor  of  the  commander  who  planned,  and  the 
handful  of  troops  which  executed  the  meafures  ;  yet 
were  they  even  of  greater  moment  to  the  caufe  of  Ame- 
rica, than  they  were  brilliant  as  particular  military  ex- 
ploits. 

We  contemplate  and  adore  the  wifdom  and  goodnefs  of 
divine  Providence,  as  difplayed  in  favor  of  the  United 
States,  in  many  inftances  during  the  courfc  of  the  war;  but  in 
none  more  than  in  the  unanimousappointmentof  yourEx- 
cellency  to  the  command  of  the  army.    When  vvc  confider 


the  continuance  of  your  life  and  health — the  difcernment, 
prudence,  fortitude  and  patience  of  your  condu£t,  by 
which  you  have  not  only  facrificed,  as  others  have  done, 
perfonal  eafe  and  property,  but  frequently  even  reputation 
itfelf,  in  the  public  caufe,  chufing  rather  to  rifque  your 
own  name  than  expofe  the  nakednefs  of  your  country-— 
when  we  confider  the  great  and  growincy  attachment  o\  the 
army,  and  the  cordial  efteem  of  all  ranks  of  men,  and  of 
every  ftate  in  the  Union,  which  you  have  {o  long  enjoyed 
' — v/e  cannot  help  being  of  opinion,  that  Gi)d  himfeh  has 
raifed  you  up  as  a  fit  and  proper  inilrument  for  efiabiifh- 
ing  and  fecuring  the  liberty  and  happinefs  of  thefe  States. 
We  pray  that  the  Almighty  may  continue  to  protect 
and  blefs  you — that  the  late  fignal  Iqccefs  of  the  Amerir 
can  arms,  may  pave  the  way  to  a  fpeedy  and  lafting 
peace  ;  and  that,  having  furvived  fo  much  fatigue,  and  fo 
many  dangers,  you  may  enjoy  many  years  of  honorable 
reppf^  in  the  bofom  of  your  grateful  country, 

JOHN  WITHERSPOON, 


C  365   3 


Memorial  and  Manifesto 


or  THE 


UNITED   STATES 


0  r 


N  0    R    r  H  .   A  M   E   R    I  C   A, 


Yo  the  Mediating  Powers  in  the  Conferences  for  Peace, 
to  the  other  Powers  in  Europe^  and  in  general  to  ail 
Vjho  shall  see  the  same. 


THE  United  States  of  North-America,  having  beet 
made  acquainted,  by  their  ilhiflrious  ally  the  king 
of  France,  that  there  is  a  propofal  for  holding  a  congres 
under  the  mediation  of  the  cmprefs  of  RufTia  and  the  en- 
peror  of  Germany,  to  treat  of  terms  of  accommodatbn 
'vvith  Great-Britain  have  thought  proper  to  publilh,  br 
the  information  of  all  concerned,  the  following  memorLiI, 
which  fhall  contain  a  brief  detail  of  the  ileps  by  vvhch 
they  have  been  brought  into  their  prefent  interelling  and 
critical  fituatlon. 

The  United  States  (formerly  Britifli  colonies)  w^re 
iirfl:  planted  and  fettled  by  emigrants  from  that  country. 
Thefe  fettlers  came  out  at  different  times,  and  with  differ- 


366  Memorial  and  Manifesto 

cnt  views.  Some  were  adluated  by  the  fpirlt  of  curioflty 
and  enter prife,  which  was  fo  prevalent  in  Europe  in  the 
fixteenth  and  leventeenth  centuries  ;  feme  were  chiefly 
induced  by  the  hope  of  riches ;  and  fome  were  driven  from 
their  native  country  by  the  iron  rod  of  facerdotal  tyranny. 
They  folicited  their  charters,  and  fettled  their  govern- 
ments  on  different  principles,  fuch  as  befl:  pleafed  thofe 
who  were  chiefly  concerned  in  each  undertaking.  In  one 
thhig,  however,  they  all  agreed,  that  they  confidered  them- 
felves  as  bringiag  their  liberty  with  them,  and  as  entitled 
to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  freemen  under  the  Bri- 
tifh  conllitution. 

Purfuant  tothefe  fentiments,  they  looked  upon  it  as  the 
foundation  ftone  of  Britifli  liberty,  that  the  freeholders  or 
proprietors  of  the  foil,  Ihouid  have  the  exclufive  right  of 
granting  money  for  public  ufes,  and  therefore  invariably 
proceeded  upon  this  plan.  With  refpedt,  indeed,  to  the 
whole  of  their  internal  government,  they  ccnfidered  them- 
felves  as  not  diredlly  ful^e6l  to  the  Britiih  parliament,  but 
as  feparate  independent  dominions  under  the  fame  fove- 
reign,  and  with  fimilar  co-ordinate  jurifdidion.  It  appears 
from  feveral  events,  that  happened  in  the  courfe  of  their 
.liflory,  and  from  public  a£ts  of  fome  of  their  governments, 
that  this  was  their  opinion  many  years  before  the  late  un- 
lift  claims  and  oppreffive  a6ls,  which  gave  birth  to  the 
)loody  conflidl  not  yet  finiJhed. 

From  the  lirft  fettlement  of  the  colonies,  they  willing, 
y  fubmitted  to  Britain's  enjoying  an  exclufive  right  to 
heir  commerce  ;  though  feveral  of  the  a6ls  of  the  Britiih 
prliament  upon  this  fubjedt,  they  always  looked  upon  as 
prtial  and  unjuft.  Some  of  thefe  appear,  at  firft  view,  to 
be  fuch  badges  of  fervitude,  that  it  is  furprifing  that  a  free 
people  fhould  ever  have  been  patient  under  them.  The 
truth  is,  they  wpuld  not  probably  have  been  fubmitted  to, 
but  that  the  rigid  execution  of  them  at  this  diftance  was 
ir,  its  nature  impoflible. 

It  was  always  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants  of  tbefe 
flues,  that  the  benefits  which  arofe  to  Britain  from  the 
eiclufive  commerce  of  America,  and  the  taxes  which  it 
enabled  her  toraife  on  her  own  fubjedls,  was  more  than. 


of  the  United  States.  367 

their  proportion  of  the  common  treafure  necefTary  to  the 
defence  of  the  empire.     At  the  fame  time,  great  as  it  was, 
the  lofs  to  them,  by  being  confined  in  their  trade,  was 
greater  than  the  benefit  to  her ;  as  it  obliged  them  to  pur- 
chafe  any  thing  they  had  occafion  for  from  her,  and  at  her 
own  price,  which  neceffarily  retarded  their  growth  and 
improvement.     All  this  notwithftanding,  when  any  ex- 
traordinary emergency  feemed  to  render  it  neceflary,  and 
when  application  was  regularly  made  to  the  aflemblies  of 
the  colonies,  they  complied  in  every  inftance  with  the  re- 
quifitions,  and  made  advances  of  fums  which,  in  one  or 
two  indances,  Britain  herfelf  confidered  as  above  their 
ability,  and  therefore  made  refiitution  or  compenfationfor 
them. 

The  true  reafon  of  this  long  and  patient  acquiefcence, 
was  the  natural  and  warm  attachment  which  the  inhabi- 
tants of  America  had  to  Great-Britain,  as  their  parent 
country.  They  gloried  in  their  relation  to  her  ;  they 
were  zealous  for  her  honor  and  intereft  ;  imbibed  her  prin- 
ciples and  prejudices  with  refped  to  other  nations  ;  en- 
tered into  her  quarrels,  and  were  profufe  of  their  blood  for 
the  purpofe  of  fecuring  or  extending  her  dominion.  Al- 
moll  every  city  and  county  in  Great  Britain  had  its  coun- 
ter part,  which  bore  its  name  in  the  new  world  ;  and  thofe 
whofe  progenitors  for  three  generations  had  been  born  in 
America,  when  they  fpoke  of  going  to  Britain,  called  it 
going  home. 

Such  was  the  ftate  of  things,  when  fome  unwife  coun- 
fellors  to  the  Britifh  king,  thought  of  raifing  a  revenue 
without  the  confent  of  the  American  legiflatures,  to  be 
carried  diredtly  to  the  Engl i(h  treafury.  The  firfl:  elVay 
on  this  fubjedt  was  the  famous  fiamp  aft,  of  which  vv\- 
ihall  at  prefent  fay  nothing,  but  that  the  univerfal  fer- 
ment raifcd  on  occafion  of  it  was  a  clear  proof  of  the  jull- 
nefs  and  truth  of  the  preceding  reprefentation.  So  odious 
was  it  over  the  whole  country,  and  {o  dangerous  to  thofc 
who  attempted  to  carry  it  into  execution,  that  in  a  fhort 
time  it  was  repealed  by  themfelves.  Parliament,  howe- 
ver, by  their  declaratory  a6t,  which  pafled  in  the  fame  lei- 
fion    lliewed  that  they  intended  to  maintain  the  ri^hr. 


36S  Memorial  and  Manifast& 

though  they  dcTifted  ni  this  inftance  from  the  exercife  of  it^ 
The  Americans,  overjoyed  at  the  immediate  deliverance, 
returned  to  their  affection  and  attaphmeQjt,  hoping  that  the 
claim  would  again  become  dormant  and  that  no  occauon 
would  be  given  for  the  future  difcufiion.of  itv 

But  it  was  not  long  before  the  Eng]iih-.mini{lry  propa* 
fed  and  carried  an  adl  of  parliament,  impofmg  duties  on 
tea,  glafs,  hx..  which  by  the  fmallnefs  of  the^duties  them* 
felves,  and  feveral  other  circumftances,  was  plainly  de- 
figned  to  ileal  upon  us  gradually,  and  if  poiTible  imper- 
ceptibly, the  exercife  of  their  pretended  right.  It  was 
not,  however,  in  their  power  to  blind  the  colonies,  who 
rofe  up  againil  the  execution  of  this  aCl,  with  a  zeal  pro- 
portioned to  the  importance  of  the  fubjedt,  and  with  an 
unanimity  not  to  be  expelled  but  where  a  great  and  com- 
mon danger  keeps  every  caufe  of  jealoufy  and  diiTentiori 
out  of  view.  Not  only  every  colony,  by  its  reprefenta- 
tive  body,  but  every  county,  and  almoft  every  corpora- 
tion or  other  fubordinate  divifion,  publicly  declared  that 
they  v.'ould  defend  their  liberty  at  the  rifle  of  their  eftates 
and  fives.  In  the  mean  while  the  Englifh  government 
profeffed  a  determination  equally  firm  to  enforce  the  ex- 
ecution of  this  ad  by  military  power,  and  bring  us  to  un- 
conditional fubmiffion. 

Thus  did  the  rupture  take  place  ;  and  as  to  the  juflice 
of  our  caufe,  we  muft  fay,  that  if  any  impartial  perfons 
will  read  the  declaratory  a6l,  that  the  lords  and  commons 
of  Great-Britain  in  parliament,  have  a  right  to  make  laws 
binding  upon  the  colonies  in  all  cases  %vhatsoever^  and 
which  was  now  producing  its  proper  fruit,  he  muft  be  con- 
vinced that  had  we  fubmitted  to  it,  we  fliould  have  been 
in  no  refpedt  different  from  a  fet  of  conquered,  tributary 
ilates,  fubjed  to  a  foreign  country  ;  and  the  colonial  af- 
femblies  would  have  become  both  ufelefs  and  contempti^ 
ble.  The  writings  in  England  upon  this  fubje6l,  proving 
that  we  were  reprefented  in  Middlesex^  and  ufmg  many 
other  equally  forcible  arguments,  are  and  will  remain  a 
difgrace  to  reafon,  as  well  as  an  infult  on  American  un- 
der  Handing. 


of  the  Umicd  States.  369 

At  this  period  of  time  not  only  the  people  of  England 
!n  general,  but  the  kiag  of  England  in  his  fpecchcs,  and 
his  parliament  in  their  addrefies,  affrcled  toreprefent  the 
commotions  in  America  as  raifed  by  a  {t:\M  feditious  per- 
fons,  and  the  confequence  of  a  pre-concerted  fcheme  to 
throw  ofT  the  dominion  of  Great-Britain,  and  fet  up  an 
independent  empire.  This  unjufl  and  indeed  abfurd  ac- 
Cufation  may  be  refuted  by  a  thoufand  arguments.  The 
ftrong  predilection  of  the  people  of  America  for  the  peo- 
pie,  the  fafhions,  and  the  government  of  Britain,  proves 
its  falfhood.  There  was  no  perfon,  nor  any  number  of 
perfons  in  any  Hate  of  America,  who  had  fuch  influence 
as  to  be  able  to  effect  this,  or  even  view  it  as  a  probable 
object  of  ambition.  Bat  what  mull  demonflrate  the  ab- 
furdity  of  this  fuppofition,  is  the  (late  in  which  America 
was  found  when  (he  began  to  grapple  with  the  power  of 
Britain.  No  (lep  had  been  taken  to  open  the  way  for  ob- 
taining foreign  aid.  No  provifion  had  been  made^of  arms, 
ammunition,  or  warlike  (lores  of  any  kind  ;  fo  that  the 
country  Teemed  to  be  expofed,  naked  and  helplefs,  to  the 
dominion  of  her  enemy. 

Agreeably  to  tliis,  addreffes  and  petitions  v/ere  tlie 
means  to  Vv-hich  we  had  recourfe.  Reconciliation  to  Bri- 
tain, with  the  fecurity  and  prefervation  of  our  rights,  was 
the  wifli  of  every  fouh  The  niofl:  explicit  profelTions  of 
loyalty  to  the  prince,  and  the  mo(l  exprefs  alTurances  of 
e[fcc\ual  fupport  in  his  government,  if  we  were  called  on 
in  a  conftitutional  v/ay,  made  the  fubflance  of  our  decla- 
rations. Every  fuccccding  petition,  however,  was  treat- 
ed  with  new  and  greater  infult,  and  was  anfwered  by 
ac^^s  of  parliament,  Vv'hich  for  their  cruelty  will  be  a  llaiii 
upon  the  annals  of  the  kingdom,  and  bring  the  charader 
of  the  nation  itfelf  into  dilgrace. 

Single  a6ls  of  inhumanity  may  be  accounted  for  from 
the  depravity  of  an  individual;  but  what  (hill  we  fay  of 
<n2Mt  and  numerous  aflemblies,  enaiftin^  fuch  laws  as  the 
EoUon  port  bill,  which  reduced  at  once  fo  many  people  to 
beggary,  and  their  property  itfelf  to  nothing — the  ac'^t 
permitting  thofe  charged  with  murdering  Americans,  to 
be  fent  to  England  to  b'e  tried,   that  is  to  fav,  either  not  \Q 

Vol.  IV.  3  A 


3  7  o  Memorial  and  Manijesio 

be  tried  at  all,  or  certainly  abfolved — the  a8:  appointing 
Americans  taken  at  fea,  to  be  turned  before  the  maft  in 
Englifh  fliips,  and  obliged  either  to  kill  their  own  rela- 
tions, or  be  killed  by  them — -and  the  aft  appointing  Ame- 
rican prifoners  to  be  fent  to  the  Eall-Indies  as  flaves. 
But  what  is  of  all  moll  aftonifhing  is,  that  they  never 
failed  to  extol  their  own  lenity,  when  paffing  fuch  adts  as 
filled  this  whole  continent  with  refentment  and  horror. 
To  crown  the  whole,  the  lafl  petition  fent  by  congrefs  to 
the  king,  which  befeeched  him  to  appoint  some  7node  by 
which  our  complaints  might  be  remedied,  and  a  way  be 
paved  for  reconciliation,  was  treated  with  abfolute  con- 
tempt, and  no  anfwer  given  to  it  of  any  kind.  Thus  was 
all  intercourfe  broken  up.  We  were  declared  rebels ;  and 
they  themfelves  niufl  confefs,  that  no  alternative  was  left 
us,  but  either  to  go  with  ropes  about  our  necks,  and  fub- 
mit  ourfelves,  not  to  the  king,  but  to  the  kingdom  of  En- 
gland, to  be  trampled  under  foot,  or  rifle  all  the  confe- 
quences  of  open  and  vigorous  refiflance. 

The  lall  part  of  the  alternative  we  chofe  without  hefita- 
lion ;  and  as  it  was  impolTible  to  preferve  civil  order  any 
longer  under  the  name  and  form  of  a  government  which 
we  had  taken  arms  to  oppofe,  we  found  it  abfolutely  ne- 
celTary  to  declare  ourfelves  independent  of  that  prince  who 
had  thrown  us  out  of  his  protedion.  This  great  ftep  was 
taken  with  the  full  approbation,  and  indeed  at  the  ardent 
defire  of  the  public  at  large.  The  extent  and  growth  of 
the  colonies  feemed,  in  the  nature  of  things,  to  call  for 
iuch  a  feparation  long  before ;  yet  it  would  not  probably 
have  happened  for  many  years,  if  it  had  not  been  forced 
upon  us  by  the  conduct  of  our  unkind  parent  herfelf — 
The  thing  irKl.eed  feems  to  have  been  the  purpofe  of  God 
Almighty  ;  for  every  meafure  of  the  court  of  Great-Bri- 
tain had  the  mod  direcl  tendency  to  haften,  and  render  it 
unavoidable. 

We  mufl;  take  notice,  that  before  the  declaration  of  in- 
dependence, there  was  fomething  like  an  attempt  to  re- 
concile us,  commonly  called  lord  North's  conciliatory 
but  it  was  fo  trifling  in  its  nature,  and  infidious 


of  the  United  States.  371 

in  its  form,  that  probably  no  fuccefs  was  expe£led  from 
it,  even  by  thofe  who  contrived  it.  Who  does  not  per- 
ceive in  it  an  artful  attempt  to  divide  us  ?  and  that  while 
every  thing  elfe  is  left  in  the  greateil  uncertainty,  the 
main  point  for  which  we  contended  is  clearly  decided 
againft  us  ? 

After  the  declaration  of  independence,  lord  and  general 
Howe  brought  out  a  comniiffion  ^ov  gimng  peace  to  Ame- 
rica,    But  as  they  had  not  liberty  {o  much  as  to  aclcnow- 
ledge  us  by  an  open  treaty,  fo  the  fubftance  of  what  they 
offered  was  pardon  upon  fubmiflion  ;  that  the  parliamenc 
would  revife  the  ads  they  had  pafled,  and  if  any  of  them 
were  found  improper,  they  would  amend  them  :  which,  in 
one  word,  amounted  to  this,  that  they  would  do  for  us 
what  they  themsehes  thought  good.     Thefe  offers,  howe- 
ver, poor  as  they  were,  came  too  late.     So  important  a 
flep  as  the  declaration  of  independence,  could  not  be  re- 
called ;  and  the  formidable  armament  fent  out  againfl  us 
in  the  year  1776,  rendered  it  more  neceffary  than  ever. 
We  are  forry  to  be  obliged  to  take  notice  of  the  manner 
of  condudling  the  war.     It  would  be  for  the  honor  of  hu- 
manity, that  it  could  be  buried  in  oblivion.     Many  were 
the  inflances  of  perfons,   after  they  had   fubmitted    and 
begged  mercy   on  their  knees,  being   murdered  in   cold 
blood.     The  treatment  of  prifoners  was  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  has  continued  through  the  war,  with  fome  ex- 
ceptions, favage  and  barbarous  to  the  lail  degree.     Multi- 
tudes, before  any  exchange  took  place,  died  by  famine 
and  ftench.  Many  were,  by  threatening  and  ill  ufage,  con- 
llrained  to  enlill  in  their  enemy's  fervice  ;  and  many  were 
forced  on  board  their  (hips  ot"  war,  or  fent  to  Britain  to 
rot  in  prifon,  at  a  diftance  from  their  friends,  without 
hope  of  relief.     It  is  not  eafy  to  enumerate  the  houfes  and 
even  towns  which  have  been  wantonly  burnt,   or  to  de- 
fcribe  the  devaftation  of  the  country,  and  robbery   of  the 
inhabitants,  wherever  the  army  paffed.     To  this  may  be 
added,  hiring  the  favages  to  come  upon  the  back  fettle- 
ments.     There  is  the  greater  fliame  in  this  expedient, 
that  they  are  not  formidable  either  for  their  number  or 
their  valor,  but  for  thefiiockine  manner  in  v/hich  they 


.w 


Memorial  and  Manifesto 


torture  their  prifoners,  and  murder  women  and  infants 
who  fall  into  their  hands.  Civilized  nations  will  perhaps 
find  it  hard  to  beheve  this  reprefentation  ;  but  every  part 
of  it  can  be  fupported  by  the  moft  unqueitionable  fads, 
and  it  is  rendered  credible  not  only  by  the  circumftance 
that  civil  wars  are  carried  on  commonly  with  a  rancour 
and  animonty  greater  than  thole  between  independent  na- 
tions, but  by  the  expreffions  of  hatred  and  contempt  which 
have  been  ufed  with  refped  to  the  Americans,  by  almoft 
every  fpeaker  and  writer  in  England.  What  effect  could 
iu'ch  language  have  on  the  minds  of  the  foldiery,  but  to 
Heel  them  againll  all  impreffions  of  pity  and  tendernefs, 
as  we  find  was  really  the  cafe,  till  they  were  reftrained  ia 
fome  degree,  by  the  fear  pf  retaliation  upon  their  people 
in  our  hands. 

At  lad,  after  four  years  of  real,  and  near  two  years  of 
profeiled  and  declared  independence,  it  pleafed  God  to 
incline  the  heart  of  the  king  of  France  to  give  relief  to 
the  opprefTed,  by  entering  into  a  treaty  with  the  United 
States,  on  the  moft  liberal  and  difinterefted  principles. 
No  exclufive  privileges  are  there  ftipulated  for  the  French 
nation,  but  the  fecure,  open  and  equal  intercourfe  to 
■which  all  other  nations  are  invited.  This  acknowledg- 
ment and  fupport  from  one  of  the  moft  powerful  mo- 
narchs  in  Europe,  it  may  eafily  be  fuppofed  gave  a  new 
turn  to  our  affairs,  and  a  new  dignity  to  our  caufe.  The 
terms  of  this  trea^ty,  {q  favorable  to  us,  as  well  as  honora- 
ble to  our  ally,  cannot  fail  to  add  the  bond  of  gratitude  to 
that  of  juftice,  and  make  our  adherence  to  it  inviolable. 

Not  long  after  this  treaty  was  figned,  the  court  and 
parliament  of  Great-Britain  fent  out  commiffioners  to 
make  an  offer  of  terms,  which  we  readily  confefs  were 
not  only  as  good,  but  better,  than  what  three  years  before 
would  have  been  chearfully  accepted.  But  the  ground 
was  now  wholly  changed!  We  were  offered  freedom 
from  taxes,  and  even  a  fpecies  of  independence  itfelf^ 
upoii  the  easy  terrris  of  breaking  our  faith  fo  lately  pledg- 
ed, and  uniting  our  force  with  that  of  Great-Britain  ; 
and  both  would  doubtlels  have  been  immediately  em- 
ployed in  taking  vengeance  on  France  for  the  affiftance 


of  the  United  States.  373 

fhe  had  lent  to  us  in  our  diflrefs.  Yet  even  here,  the 
whole  was  to  be  fubjedt  to  the  revifion  of  parliament ;  that 
is  to  fay,  any  part  of  the  agreement  might  be  approved  or 
reje6ted  as  to  the  wifdom  of  that  aflembly  fhould  fcem  meet. 

Thefe  lail  propofals  from  Great-Britain,  deferve  very 
particular  notice.  They  are  a  clear  dereli«5llon  of  the  firfl 
eaufe  of  quarrel,  and  an  ample  confeflion  that  the  de- 
niands  of  America  were  jufl ;  while  the  time  and  circum- 
flances  of  their  being  made,  fhevv  that  they  could  not  be 
accepted  with  any  regard  either  to  juftice,  grr.titude,  or 
policy.  Could  Vv'c  be  guilty  of  a  dire6t  breach  of  faith, 
v/hen  the  ink  was  hardly  dry  by  which  our  ratification  of 
the  treaty  was  marked  ?  Could  we  inflantly  forget  thofe 
favors  which  had  been  fo  earnellly  folicited,  as  well  as 
generouily  bellowed  ?  Could  we,  who  had  not  entered 
into  a  league  ofifenfive  and  defenfive  with  France,  except 
for  the  prefent  firuggle  in  our  own  behalf,  becaufe  we 
did  not  wifh  to  be  involved  in  the  wars  of  Europe,  throw 
ourfelves  into  the  arms  of  an  hoftile  nation,  and  promife 
to  make  peace  or  war  with  her,  againft  our  benefadlors  I 

Upon  the  whole,  fmce  the  American  colonies  v/ere, 
from  their  extent  and  fituation,  ripe  for  a  feparation  from 
Great-Britain,  and  the  nature  of  things  feemed  to  demand 
it;  fmce  their  growing  power,  added  to  that  of  Great- 
Britain,  would  give  her  fuch  a  dominion  of  the  feaj'as 
mull  be  dangerous  to  the  liberty  and  commerce  of  other 
nations  ;  fmce,  by  her  own  adls  of  opprefTion,  fhe  has 
alienated  the  minds  of  the  Americans,  and  compelled 
them  to  eltablilh  independent  governments,  which  have 
now  taken  place  ;  and  fmce  thefe  governments,  Avhich 
are  diftindl  though  confederated,  wholly  fettled  upon  re- 
publican principles  and  fit  only  for  agriculture  and  com- 
merce, cannot  be  an  objedt  of  jealoufy  to  other  powers, 
but  by  free  and  open  intercourfe  with  them  a  general  be- 
nefit to  all ;  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  revolution  which 
they  have  effei^ted,  will  meet  with  univerfal  approbation. 


[     375     J 


ON    THE 


N      T     E 


BETWEEN 


G  R£  A  T-B  R  I  T  A  I  N  and  AMERICA. 


Philadelphia^  September  3,  1778, 
Dear  Sir, 

YOUR  very  acceptable  letter  of  the  21(1:  of  March, 
I  received  about  the  middle  of  June,  and  would 
have  anfwered  it  long  ago,  if  there  had  been  any  encou- 
raging profpe6t  of  conveying  it  fafely.  As  to  writing  you 
a  fliort  letter  that  mud  have  gone  open  through  the  ene- 
my's pofls,  I  did  not  think  it  worth  while.  1  have  how- 
ever now  come  to  a  refolution  of  writing  you  pretty  fully, 
and  trying  to  convey  it  by  France  or  Holland  ;  and  if  it 
flioald  fall  into  their  hands,  and  never  get  to  your's,  there 
will  be  no  other  lofs  than  my  time  in  writing ;  for  as  to 
any  other  confequences,  either  to  the  public  or  to  myfelf, 
I  have  not  the  lead  apprehenfion. 

Your  letter  came  to  mc  fealed,  and  apparently  never 
opened,  in  a  packet  from  the  Britilh  commillioners,  which 
arrived  at  York-town  while  the  congrefs  was  fetting  ;  and 
confequently  it,  as  well  as  one  from  Mr.  F ,  v/as  de- 
livered to  me  in  prefence  of  the  whole  members.     As 


376  On  the  Contest  beiwceH 

the  fame  packet,  befides  the  public  melTage,  contained 
fome  private  letters  addrefTecl  to  particular  members,  fome  ' 
of  them  frotn  governor  Johnflone,  one  of  the  commiffion- 
ers,  a  propofal  was  made  by  a  member,  who  read  public- 
ly one  received  by  himfelf,  that  every  gentleman  who  had 
received  private  letters  from  any  perfon  with  the  enemy, 
fhould  deliver  them  to  congrefs,  that  they  might  be  read. 
This  would  have  been  attended  with  no  difficulty  as  to  me; 
except  fome  family  affairs  in  Mr.  F 's  letter  very  im- 
proper to  be  publicly  read,  and  fome  expreffions  in  his  let- 
ter a  little  offenfive  fpeaking  of  congrefs.  However,  it  was  ' 
not  done  at  that  time  ;  and  afterwards,  in  a  diet  at  many 
days  diflance,  every  member  who  had  received  any  fuch 
letters,  was  called  upon  to  read  from  them  what  related  to 
public  affairs,  which  was  done. 

I  am  and  have  been  greatly  concerned,  as  you  feem  to 
be,  for  the  conted  between  Great-Britain  and  America; 
and  certainly,  from  my  own  intereft,'  have  by  far  the 
greateft  reafon  of  the  two;  and  as  I  fuppofe  it  will  be 
agreeable  to  you,  fhall  make  a  few  obfervations,  i.  upon 
the  public  caufe,  and  2.  on  my  own  condu6l,  which  I 
underfiand  from  many  different  quarters,  to  be  highly 
blamed  in  my  native  country. 

As  to  the  public  caufe,  I  look  upon  the  feparation  of 
America  from  Britain  to  be  the  vifible  intention  of  Provi- 
dence ;  and  believe  that  in  the  iffue  it  will  be  to  the  benefit 
of  this  country,  without  any  injury  to  the  other — perhaps 
to  the  advantage  of  both.  It  feems  to  me  the  intention 
of  Providence  for  many  reafons,  which  I  cannot  now 
enumerate,  but  in  a  particular  manner  for  the  following — 
that  I  cannot  recolleft  any  inflance  in  hidory,  in  which 
a  perfon  or  people  have  fo  totally  and  uniformly  miftaken 
the  means  for  attaining  their  own  ends,  as  the  king  and 
parliament  of  Britain  have  in  this  contefl.  I  do  ferioufly 
and  pofitively  afHrm  to  you,  my  dear  fir,  that  it  is  my  opini- 
on,that  congrefs  itfelf,  if  they  hadbi^en  todireclthe  meafures 
of  the  Britifli  miniflry,  could  not  or  woukl  not  have  dl- 
reded  them  to  meafures  fo  effectual  to  forward  and  efta- 
bliih  the  independence  of  America,  as  thofe  which  they  chofe 
of  their  own  accord.     They  have  had  a  miftakea  opinion 


Greai'Brhaln  and  A?7ierica,  ^17 

of  the  flate  of  things  in  America,  from  the  beginning  to 
this  hour,  and  have  founded  their  whole  condud  upon 
their  miflakes.     They  fuppofed  fometimes,  that  the  peo- 
ple of  America  in  general  were  feditious  and   fadlious — 
defirous  of  a  feparation  from  Great-Britain,  and  that  their 
conduft  on  occafion  of  the  (lampadl  was  th^  efFedl  of  this 
difpofltion.     Nothing  could  be  more  untrue.    I  am  a  wit- 
nefs  that  the  people  of  this  country  had  an  efleem  of,  and 
attachment  to  the  people  of  Great-Britain,  exceedingly 
flrong.     They  were  proud  of  them,  and  of  their  own  de- 
fcent  from  them.     Britifh  fafhions,  Britifli  goods,   and 
even  Britifh  petfons,  w^re  in  the  highefl  efteem.     A  p«?r- 
fon  educated  in  the  old  countries  had  a  degree  of  rank  and 
credit  from  that  circumltance,  independent  of  every  other. 
I  think  they  were  even  partial  in  this  refpedl.    I  believe, 
had  I  myfelf  been  born  and  educated  in  America,  I  fliould 
have  met  with  a  degree  of  acceptance  and  fuccefs  in  my 
ftation,  far  inferior  to  what  adlually  happened.     When  an 
American  fpoke  of  going  to  England,  he  always  called  it 
going  home  ;   and  wherever  you  are  in  this  country,  you 
meet  with  ajmofl  nothing  but  counties,  townfliips  and 
houfes,  called  by  Englilh  names.     I  live  at  Princeton  in 
Middlefex  county  ;   and  on  the  oppofite  fide  of  the  (Ireet 
is  Somerlet  county,  and  indeed  1  believe  all  the  counties 
in  New-Jerfcy,  are  called  by  Engli/h  names. 

From  this  I  defire  that  you  may  infer,  that  the  oppofi- 
tion  made  to  the  claims  of  parliament,  arofe  from  a  deep 
and  univerfal  convidlion  in  the  people,  that  they  were  in- 
confident  with  their  own  fecurity  and  peace.  In  this  I  am 
fatisfied  that  they  judged  right ;  for  had  the  claim  fet  up 
been  acquiefced  in,  the  provincial  aflemblies  Vvould  have 
become  contemptible  and  ufelefs,  and  the  whole  colonies 
no  better  than  a  parcel  of  tributary  Hates,  v/hich,  placed 
at  fo  great  a  diftance,  vvould  have  been,  from  error,  igno- 
rance and  felf-interfefl,  loaded  in  the  mod  infupportable 
manner. 

Another  midake,  into  which  the  miniHry  and  parlia- 
ment of  England  fell,  was  that  this  was  a  deepflaid  fcheme 
of  a  hw  artful  and  defigning  men,  who  ftirred  up  the 
niultitude  for  their  own  ends  ;  that  the  fentiments  in  fa 

Vol.  IV.  3  B 


37^        '^  On  the  Contest^  ^c, 

vor  of  America,  were  by  no  means  general ;  but  that  the 
artful  leaders  impofed  upon  them.  This  I  have  feen  af- 
ferted  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  the  quarrel ;  and 
to  complete  the  abfurdity,  the  very  commiffioners  now- 
here from  Britain,  continue  to  reafon  in  the  fame  man- 
ner — impeach  the  congrefs  with  ambitious  and  defigning 
views,  and  feem  difpofed  to  appeal  to  the  people,  Alas  I 
they  know  nothing  of  the  matter.  The  Qongrefs  is  a 
changeable  body  :  members  are  going  from  it,  and  com- 
ing to  it  every  month,  nay  every  week.  —        — 


C    379    ]    ' 


ON  THE 


AFFAIRS 


OF  THE 


UNITED     STATES, 


Tusculum^near  Princeton,  March  20, 1780. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  HAVE  received  a  letter  from  you,  dated  June  11, 
1778,  a  few  days  after  I  had  written  to  you  a  long 
letter  of  the  date  September  21,  that  year.  The  defign  of 
it  was  to  defire  me  to  enquire  after,  and  endeavor  to  pro- 
cure the  enlargement  of  one  Alexander  Muirhead,  fuppo- 
fed  to  be  carried  into  Bollon,  I  immediately  wrote  to 
Bofton  myfelf,  and  caufed  one  of  the  delegates  of  that  ftate 
alfo  to  write  ;  but  we  could  hear  nothing  of  him,  fo  that 
probably  he  was  not  carried  into  that  place. 

Your  favor  of  March  19,  1779,  acknowledging  the  re- 
ceipt of  mine  of  the  2  id  of  September  preceding,  I  re- 
ceived in  the  month  of  Augufl  lad  year.  I  am  to  blame 
in  not  anfwering  it  fooner  ;  but  I  had  no  inclination  to 
fend  an  open  letter  through  the  Englilli  polls,  and  any 
proper  opportunity  of  fending  it  another  way  feldom  oc- 
curs. This  goes  by  a  gentleman  who  means  to  get  to 
Europe  upon  bufinefs,  and  has  promifed  to  take  particular 


3  So  On  the  Affairs  of 

care  of  it  ;  fo  that  I  mean  to  embrace  the  opportunity  of 
writing  to  you  and  fome  other  of  my  friends.  I  am 
obliged  to  you  for  your  particular  private  home  news  about 
Glafgow,  and  would  be  glad  of  the  continuance  of  fuch 
intelligence,  and  the  more  fo,  if  you  would  take  in  Paifley 
alfo. 

I  have  been,  fmce  I  wrote  you  lafl,  in  general  in  good 
health,  and  indeed  am  at  prefent  in  better  health  than  I 
have  been  fmce  I  had  the  laft  fit.  Excepting  thefe  fits, 
and  the  weaknefs  that  followed  upon  them,  my  health  has 
been  good  ever  fmce  I  came  to  America  ;  and  that  weak- 
nefs  has  been  chiefly  a  fwimming  in  my  head,  and  fear 
and  uncertainty  when  I  went  to  make  a  long  difcourfe  in 
public.  It  was  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Rufti,  that  thefe  fits 
were  fomething  of  the  apopledlic  kind.  It  is  remarkable 
that  for  thefe  twelve  months  pad  I  have  had  almoft  con- 
ftantly  a  fucceffion  of  pimples,  or  rather  fmall  biles  or 
blotches,  about  the  temples,  within  the  hair,  and  fometimes 
on  the  forehead;  fince  which  time  I  have  been  fenfibly 
better  and  freer  from  the  other  complaint. 

I  have  now  left  congrefs,  not  being  able  to  fupport  the 
expenfe  of  attending  it,  vi^ith  the  frequent  journeys  to 
Princeton,  ancj  being  determined  to  give  particular  atten- 
tion to  the  revival  of  the  college.  Profeflor  Houfton, 
however,  our  profefTor  of  mathematics,  is  a  delegate  thia 
year  ;  but  he  tells  me  he  will  certainly  leave  it  next  No- 
vember. I  tnention  this  circumftance  to  confirm  what  I 
believe  I  wrote  you  formerly,  that  the  members  of  con- 
grefs in  general,  not  only  receive  no  profit  from  that  of* 
fice,  but  I  believe  five  out  of  fix  of  them,  if  not  more,  are 
great  loofers  in  their  private  affairs.  This  cannot  be  other- 
wife  ;  for  as  none  of  the  delegates  are  allowed  to  have  any 
lucrative  oflfice  whatever,  either  in  their  own  ftate  or  for  the 
United  States,  though  their  expenfes  fhould  be  fully  borne, 
their  time  is  taken  up,  and  their  own  private  eftates  are 
neglefted.  At  the  end  of  the  year  1778,  I  gave  notice  to 
our  legiflature  that  they  muft  either  not  chufe  me  at  all,  or 
leave  me  at  full  liberty  to  attend  only  when  I  could  con- 
veniently. They  chofe  me  however,  and  I  made  a  good 
d^al  of  ufe  of  that  liberty  in  the  year  1779 ;  and  this  year 


the  United  States.  381 

all  the  delegates  were  changed  but  one,  who  had  only 
been  in  one  year,  and  who  has  not  a  houfe  to  go  home  to, 
his  eftate  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  New- York. 

My  family  are  well  fo  far  as  I  know.  The  truftees 
of  the  college  have  lad  September  chofe  my  fon-in  law, 
Mr.  Smith,  profefTor  of  moral  philolbphy.  ,  He  came  to 
Princeton  with  his  family  in  December.  To  him  1  ;^ave 
up  my  houfe  at  college,  and  devolved  upon  him  the  whole 
bufinefs  of  boarding  young  gentlemen,  and  retired  to  my 
houfe  in  the  country,  at  the  diftance  of  one  mile,  and  ia 
full  fight  of  Princeton.  This  I  have  had  in  view  for 
fome  years,  and  intend  to  fpend  the  remainder  of  my 
life,  if  poffible,  hi  otio  cum  dignitate.  You  know  1  was 
always  fond  of  being  a  fcientiiic  farmer.  Thatdifpofitioa 
has  not  loft  but  gathered  ftrength,  fince  my  being  in  Ame- 
rica. In  this  refped  I  got  a  dreadful  ftroke  indeed  from 
the  Englifh  when  they  were  here,  they  having  feized  and 
moftly  deftroyed  my  whole  Hock,  and  commit:ed  fuch 
ravages  that  we  are  not  yet  fully  recovered  from  it.  My 
(now)  eldeft  fon  failed  in  October  laft  for  France,  with 
Mr.  Girard  and  Mr.  Jay,  late  prefident  of  congrefs.  He 
is  to  purchafe  a  few  medicints  and  inftruments  in  Eu- 
rope, and  return  to  profecute  his  bufinefs  as  a  phyfician. 
My  other  fon  was  fludyinor  law  ;  but  for  the  mean  while, 
is  private  fecretary  to  the  prefent  prefident  of  Congrefs, 
and  my  youngeft  daughter  is  at  home* 

As  to  public  aflPairs,  it  feems  to  be  yet  uncertain  whe- 
ther we  fhall  have  peace  foon.  Greatly  do  I  and  many 
others  in  America  defire  it ;  and  yet,  were  our  condition 
ten  times  worfe  than  it  is,  nothing  fliort  of  the  clear  inde- 
pendence of  this  country  would  be  accepted.  I  obferve, 
by  your  letter  of  the  19th  of  March  laft  year,  that  you  had 
a  high  opinion  of  your  fuccelles  at  St.  Lucia,  in  Georgia, 
and  againft  the  French  trade.  I  believe  before  the  end  of 
the  campaign,  there  was  little  reafon  to  boaft  of  your  fuc- 
cefs  upon  the  whole.  I  mentioned  to  you  in  my  laft  how 
obftinately  the  court  of  England  continued  in  erroneous 
opinions  refpedling  America ;  and  now  I  think  that  ob- 
ftinacy  has  become  incurable.     It  is  plain  that  they  ftili 


383  On  the  Affairs  of 

harp  upon  the  fame  firing,  that  a  few  leading  men  in 
congrefs  (lir  up  the  people,  and  pcrfuade  them  to  conti- 
nue the  conteft.  Allow  me  to  affure  you  that  this  is  one 
of  the  mod  abfurd  and  groundlefs  opinions  that  ever  was 
formed.  The  congrefs  is  changing  every  day.  There  is 
no  inftance  in  the  whole  conteft,  in  which  the  public  opi. 
nion  did  not  go  before  their  refolutions.  To  go  back  to 
the  very  beginning-— the  declaration  of  independence  was 
forced  upon  the  majority  of  the  then  congrefs,  by  the 
people  in  general;  and,  in  confequence  of  fubfequent 
elections,  every  fix  months  that  I  have  been  in  congrefs 
has  weakened  the  party  that  was  fufpedted  of  coldnefs 
upon  that  fubjedt ;  and  aow  perhaps  I  may  fay  it  is  an- 
nihilated. 

I  have  read  lately  your  parliamentary  enquiry  into  the 
caufes  of  your  want  of  fuccefs  in  America.  The  exami- 
nation of  Galloway  in  particular  is  a  curiofity.  I  know 
that  he,  and  fuch  as  he,  are  blinded  and  ftupified  to  an 
almoft  incredible  degree,  by  their  prejudices  ;  and  yet  it 
is  hard  to  fuppofe  that  he  thought  as  he  faid  in  all  points. 
For  example,  when  he  endeavors  to  make  it  believed  that 
the  difficulty  of  fupplying  general  Wafliington's  army 
arofe  from  the  difafFedtion  of  the  country  to  his  caufe.  I 
admit  that  he  was  in  the  winter  1777^  in  a  part  of  the 
country  where  there  are  more  people  either  cool  or  difaf- 
fecled  to  the  caufe  of  America,  than  in  any  other  on  the 
continent ;  and  yet  his  v/ant  of  fupplies  did  not  arife  from 
that  in  the  lead  degree.  It  arofe  from  the  ftate  of  our  mo- 
ney. If  he  and  his  commifTaries  had  had  as  much,  hard 
money  as  general  Howe,  he  would  have  had  all  the  pro. 
vilions  in  the  country  laid  dov/n  at  his  tent  door. 

I  am  not  only  fully  fenfible,  by  a  general  knowledge  of 
the  country  in  this  and  other  dates,  that  the  public  mind 
is  entirely  on  the  fide  of  liberty,  and  for  the  independence 
of  America — but  I  could  mention  a  great  many  fa£ts  and 
circumllances  as  evidences  of  it,  (Ironger  than  could  well 
be  imagined,  and  indeed  which  have  turned  out  ilronges; 
than  even  my  expectations.  One  circum (lance  is  alone 
decifive  upon  this  fubjed,  which  is  well  known  to  your» 
felves,  that  the  moment  your  army  leaves  any  part  of  the 


the  United  States.  3 S3 

country,  it  Is  not  only  loft  to  you,  but  returns  fo  ftrongly 
to  the  intereft  of  congrefs,  that  all  the  perfons  known  to 
have  been  attached  to  you  are  obliged  to  fly  with  terror 
and  confufion.  But  there  is  another  ftrong  circumilance. 
the  univerfal  attachment  of  the  people  to  the  French  alli- 
ance. In  vain  have  your  partifans  endeavored  to  alarm 
the  people  with  the  fears  of  popery  and  arbitrary  power. 
It  makes  not  the  leall  imprellion  even  upon  the  common 
people. 

Pieafe  to  attend  to  the  cireum (lance  I  am  going  to 
mention  ;  becaufe  it  furprifed  myfelf  when  1  obfervcd  it. 
There  are  always,  you  know,  little  feuds  and  contentions, 
jealoufy  and  emulation,  in  every  fociety  and  in  every  af- 
fociation.  Both  in  congrefs  and  in  the  country,  I  have 
obferved  that  wlien  one  fet  or  fadlion  wants  lo  make  the 
other  odious,  they  charge  them  with  being  cold  to  the 
French  alliance,  and  ungrateful  to  them  for  their  fervices. 
This,  to  my  knowledge,  has  been  the  fubjeiSt  of  mutual  re- 
proaches, when  I  do  not  believe  there  was  any  truth  in  it 
on  either  fide.  Would  you  think  it — fome  have  ferioufly 
attempted  to  perfuade  me  that  the  New-England  dele*, 
gates  were  cold  to  the  French,  and  inclined  to  the  En- 
glifh  ;  to  which  I  anfwered,  that  I  well  knew  the  contrary, 
but  that  they  were  of  an  independant  fpirit,  and  woulci 
not  eafily  fubmit  to  unwarrantable  influence,  either  from 
the  French  or  the  Englifli,  I  mention  all  this  fmgly  with 
this  view,  to  (hew  you  the  bent  and  inclination  of  the  pub- 
lie  mind. 

I  have  been  lately  reading  over  governor  Johnfton's 
fpeech  after  his  return,  in  which  to  my  amazement  he  po- 
fitively  and  publicly  denies  his  having  fent  any  meflage 
by  a  lady  to  Mr.  Reed.  The  thing  is  now  publicly  known 
and  confelTed.  He  fays  they  would  have  named  the  lady 
if  there  had  been  any  fuch  thing,  Mr.  Reed  forbore 
naming  the  lady  out  of  tendernefs  to  her  ;  but  it  has  now 

come   out.     It  was  Mrs.  F ,  daughter  of  the  late 

Dr,  G ,  married  to  Mr.  F ,  fon  of  R.  F , 

of  .      What    Ihould  people  think  of  perfons 

of  his  character  fo  boldly  and  folcmnly  to  deny  a  certain 
fa6t. 


384  ^^  ^"be  Affairs^  ^c. 

I  will  mention  another  circumftance  to  you.  The  dif- 
trefs  of  this  country  by  the  depreciation  of  the  money, 
has  been  very  great.  Many  have  fufFered  great  lofFes  ; 
not  a  few  have  been  utterly  ruined.  Yet  I  never  could 
perceive  that  this  altered  the  inclination  of  the  people  as 
to  the  public  caufe,  in  the  lead.  Nay,  notwithllanding 
the  dreadful  complaints  made  againll  particular  claffes  of 
men,  fuch  as  foredallers  and  engroflers,  commifTaries  and 
quartermafters,  yet  I  am  perfaaded  that  any  body  who 
ftiould  but  propofe  to  return  to  fubmiffion  to  England  for 
relief  from  their  depredations,  would  be  torn  in  pieces. 


[     3^5     ] 


OBSERVATIONS 


ON    TH£ 


IMP  ROVEMENr  OF  AMERICA.. 


-^^TORTH  AMERICA  Is  at  prefent  from  the  natural 
^  ij  courfe  of  things,  in  a  growing  fiate.  It  will  there- 
fore of  itfelf,  for  :i  feries  of  years,  gradually  improve.  There 
are  however  many  things  by  which  that  improvement 
may  be  facilitated  or  retarded  ;  and  it  is  the  laudable  pur- 
pcfe  of  this  fociety,  to  attend  to  thefe  circumflances  v;ith 
care,  and  ufe  their  utmcil  endeavors  to  encourage  the  one 
and  to  remjove  the  other.  Having  had  the  honor  of  bein^ 
admitted  a  member  of  this  fociety,  and  not  having  it  much 
in  my  power  any  otherwife  to  promote  American  im- 
provements, I  could  not  refill  the  inclination  I  felt  to  di- 
gell  and  put  in  writing,  a  few  reflections  upon  the  police 
of  countries  in  general,  the  great  principles  on  which  the 
Philadelphia  Society  ought  to  proceed,  and  perhaps  I  may 
propofe  fome  particular  regulations. 

I.  The  moral  caufes  of  the  profperity  of  a  country,  are 
almofl  infinitely  more  powerful  than  tliofe  that  are  only 
occafional.  This  obfcrvation  is  taken  from  Montefquieu, 
by  whom  it  is  admirably  illuftrated,  and  it  ought  never  to 
be  out  of  view,  with  ihofe  wlio  wifl^  to  promote  the  p^ene- 
ral  good.  The  moral  caufes  arile  from  the  nature  of  the 
government,  including  the  adminiRrationof  juflice,  liber- 
ty of  confcience,  the  partition  of  property.  The  rife  of  a 
particular  town,  the  cultivation  and  beauty  of  a  particular 

Vol.  IV.  7  G 


o 


^6  Observe  atlons,  "^c. 


quarter  of  a  country,  may  fometimes  bejuflly  afcribedto 
the  furprifing  efFe£ls  of  a  (in!>Ie  perfon  who  fet  the  exam- 
ple ;  yet  he  was  only  the  occafion,  properly  fpeaking,  of 
the  vigorous  eKertion.  The  confequences  could  never 
be  general  or  fafting,  if  there  was  not  a  difpofition  to  it  in 
the  conftitution  of  the  country.  Therefore,  a  facred  re- 
gard fhould  be  had  by  every  lover  of  mankind,  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  equity  and  liberty,  that  they  may  never  be  vio- 
lated by  any  public  proceedings.  Pennfylvania  is  fo  hap- 
py in  this  particular,  that  its  coniiitution  need  not  be  im- 
proved, but  preferved  and  defended. 

2.  It  is  extremely  difHcuIt,  after  you  depart  from  ge- 
neral principles,  to  difcover  what  particular  regulations 
will  be  for  the  intereft  of  a  country.  It  requires  a  very 
comprehenfive  mind,  and  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
courfe  of  trade  and  police  in  general,  Befides,  it  is  not 
only  difHciilt,  but  impoflible  to  forefee  what  circumftances 
may  afterwards  occur.  Many  things  are  ufeful  and  ex- 
pedient at  one  time,  which  in  a  few  years  become  unne- 
cefTary  or  hurtful.  Nay,  many  felfifli  laws  have  operated 
from  the  beginning,  in  a  manner  diredlly  contrary  to  what 
was  expelled.  The  incorporation  of  trades  in  the  cities 
in  Britain,  is  an  inftance  of  the  firll :  and  almoil  every 
law  made  to  the  prejudice  of  Ireland,  is  an  example  of  the 


C  387   ] 


*^«^.^,/\ry^ 


SUPPLICATION- 


J.R* 


O  F 


«    ^    ^.     ^     *    :»    ^ 


To  Ms  Excellency  Henry  Laurens^  Esquire^  President^ 
and  other,  tbt  Members  of  the  Honorable^  the  Ameri" 
can  Congress^  ^c.  ^c,  ^c. 

The  humble  representation  and  earnest  supplication  ofj^ 
R ^,  printer  and  bookseller  in  Nev^-Vorky 

Respectfully  sheweth, 

THAT  a  great  part  of  the  Britifh  forces  has  already 
left  this,  city,  and  from  many  fymptoms  there  is 
reafon  to  fufpedl,  that  the  remainder  will  fpeedily  follow 
them.  Where  they  are  gone  or  going,  is  perhaps  known 
to  the  mfelves,  perhaps  not;  certainly  however,  it  is  un- 
known  to  us,  the  loyal  inhabitants  of  the  place,  and  other 
friends  of  government  who  have  taken  refuge  in  it,  and 
who  are  therefore  filled,  with  diftrefs  and  terror  on  the  ua- 
happy  occafion. 

That  as  foon  as  the  evacuation  is  completed,  it  is  more 
than  probable,  the  city  will  be  taken  polTeflion  of  by  the 
forces  of  your  high  mightinefies,  followed  by  vaft  crouds 
of  other  perfons — whigs  by  nature  and  profefTion — friends 
to  the  liberties,  and  foes  to  the  enemies  of  America. 
Above  all,  it  will  undoubtedly  be  filled  v^ith  Ihoah  of 


3^3  Supplication  of  J.  i?- 


Yankies,  that  is  to  fay,  the  natives  and  inhabitants  (or  as 
a  great  lady  in  this  metropolis  generally  expreffes  it^  the 
wretchesj  of  New-England. 

That  from  feveral  circumllances,  there  is  reafon  to  fear 
that  the  behavior  of  the  wretches  aforefaid,  may  not  be  al- 
together gentle  to  fuch  of  the  friends  of  government  as 
iliall  flay  behind.  What  the  governing  powers  of  the  Hate 
of  New- York  may  do  alfo,  it  is  iinpoiTible  to  foretel.  Nay, 
who  knows  but  we  may  foon  fee,  in  propria  persona^  a$ 
•we  have  often  heard  of  Horientius^  the  governor  of  New- 
Jerfey,  a  gentleman  remarkable  for  feverely  handling 
thofe  whom  he  calls  traitors,  and  indeed  who  has  exalted 
fome  of  tiiem  (quanqiiarn  animus  meminifie  horret  le6lu- 
que  refugit)  to  a  high,  though  dependent  ftation,  and 
brought  America  under  their  feet,  in  a  fenfe  very  different 
from  v/hat  Lord  North  meant  when  he  firfl  ufed  that  cele- 
brated expreffion. 

That  your  petitioner  in  particular,  is  at  the  greatefllofs 
Jwhat  to  refolve  upon,  or  how  to  fnape  his  courfe.  He  has 
no  defire  at  all,  either  to  be  roaftsd  in  Florida,  or  frozen 
to  death  in  Canada  or  Nova  Scotia.  Being  a  great  lover 
of  frelh  cod,  he  has  had  thoughts  of  trying  a  fettlement  in 
Newfoundland,  but  recollecting  that  the  New-England 
men  have  almofl  all  the  fame  appetite,  he  was  obliged  to 
relinquilh  that  proje£l  entirely.  If  he  Ihould  goto  Great- 
Britain,  dangers  no  lefs  formidable  prefent  themfelves. 
Having  been  a  bankrupt  in  London,  it  is  not  impoflible 
that  he  might- be  accommodated  with  a  lodging  in  New- 
gate, and  that  the  ordinary  there,  might  oblige  him  to  fay 
his  prayers,  a  pradlice  from  which  he  hath  had  an  infupe^ 
rable  averiion  all  his  life  long. 

In  this  dreadful  dilemm.a,  he  hath  at  lead  determined  to 
apply  to  your  high  mightinefles,  and  by  this  memorial  to 
lay  himself  at  your  Jeet^  which  he  affures  you,  is  the  true 
modilh  pitrafe  for  refpe^lful  fubmlffion,  according  to  the 
prefent  c-tiqtiette  of  the  court.  Being  informed  however, 
that  fome  of  you  are  Prcfbyterians  and  ReligioniflG,  he 
has  been  alfo  at  fome  pains  to  find  out  a  fcripture  war- 
rant or  example  for  his  prefent  conduct,  and  has  happily 
found  it,  in  the  advice  given  by  the  fervants  of  Benhadad, 


BuppUcatlon  of  J.  R ",  38^ 

king  of  Syria,  to  their  mader,  i  Kings  xx.  31.  And  his 
ser'-cants  said  unto  him^  behold  noiv  we  haiie  heard  that 
the  kings  of  Israel  arc  mercifid  kings  :  Let  us  u^e  pray 
thecy  put  sackcloth  upon  our  loins,  and  ropes  upon  our 
heads,  and  go  out  to  the  king  of  Israel,  per  adventure  he 
may  save  thy  life.  So  they  girded  sackcloth  upon  their 
loins,  and  put  ropes  upon  their  heads,  and  came  to  the 
king  of  Israel,  and  said.  Thy  servant  Benhadad  saith,  I 
pray  thee  let  me  live.     In  like  manner,  O  molt  mighty 

and  venerable  Congrefs-men,  your  fervant  J.  R 

faith,  I  pray  you  let  me  live. 

Having  thus  preferred  my  petition,  I  muft  now  intreat 
leave  to  lay  before  your  high  mightinefles,  lundry  reafons, 
which  I  hope  will  incline  you  to  lend  a  favorable  ear  to  it, 
in  doing  which,  I  fliall  ufe  all  poffible  plainnefs  and  candor. 

I.  In  the  firft  place,  there  cannot  polTibly  be  any  danger 
to  the  United  States,  in  fuffering  me  to  live.  I  know 
many  of  you  think  and  fay,  that  atory  heart  acquires  fuch 
a  degree  of  fournefs  and  malevolence,  in  addition  to  its 
jiative  ftock,  and  fuch  a  habit  of  treachery,  by  breaking 
through  the  moft  endearing  ties  of  nature,  that  no  good 
can  be  expetSled  from  it,  nor  any  dependance  placed  upon 
it,  let  pretences  or  appearances  be  what  they  will.  I  re- 
member alio,  about  feven  years  ago  a  certain  perfon  hear- 
ing accidently  one  or  two  paragraphs  read  from  the  wri- 
tings of  an  eminent  controverfial  divine  in  this  country, 
faid,  That  fellow  mud  be  a  turn  coat ;  it  is  impoffible  that 
he  could  have  been  educated  in  the  profeffioa  which  he 
now  defends.  What  is  your  reafon  for  that  opinion  ? 
faid  another  gentleman  who  was  prefent — Becaufe,  fays 
he,  he  difcovers  a  rancor  of  fpirit  and  rottennefs  of  heart, 
unattainable  by  any  other  clafs  of  men.  But  I  contend 
that  thefe  remarks  relate  only  to  the  natives  of  this  coun- 
try, who  like  parricides  took  up  arms  for  her  de(lru61:ion  ; 
and  to  apodates  in  religion;  neither  of  which,  1  am  certain, 
can  be  applied  to  me.  I  was  born,  as  is  well  known,  in 
old  England  ;  and  as  for  the  accufation  of  apodacy,  1  fet 
it  at  defiance,  unlefs  a  man  can  be  faid  to  fall  oil  from 
what  he  was  never  on,  or  to  depart  from  a  place  which  he 
never  faw. 


39<b  Supplication  of  J,  R- 


But  what  I  beg  of  you  particularly  to  obferve  is,  that  let 
the  difpofition  to  mifchief  be  as  great  as  you  pleafe,  where 
the  ability  is  wanting,  there  can  be  no  danger.  I  have 
often  feen  the  lions  in  the  tower  of  London  without  fear, 
becaufe  there  was  an  iron  grate  between  me  and  them. 
Now  it  is  certain  that  the  tories  in  general,  would  do  any 
thing  fooner  than  fight.  Many  of  them  became  tories  for 
no  other  reafon,  than  that  they  might  avo'd  fighting.  The 
poor  chicken-hearted  creatures  cried  out  to  the  potent 
King  of  England,  to  take  them  under  his  winp^s  for  pro- 
tection, which  he  endeavored  to  do,  but  they  were  too  (liort 
to  cover  them.  Even  the  late  petition  for  arms  in  which 
they  promifed  to  go  without  the  lines,  and  fweep  you  all 
away  with  the  befom  of  deftruclion,  was  but  an  idle  rho- 
domontade— It  was  fomething  like  a  poor  boy  fhouting 
and  finging  in  the  dark,  to  kee»phimfelf  from  being  afraid. 
At  that  very  time,  to  my  certain  knowledge  thsy  would 
have  given  the  world  for  a  place  to  fly  to,  out  of  the  reach 
of  Wafliington  and  Gates.  But  I  return  to  myfelf,  <?§-<^ 
met  sum  prox'imus  mihi.  I  can  affure  your  high  mighti*- 
ueffes,  that  no  dani^er  can  arife  from  me,  for  I  am  as 
great  a  coward  as  King  James  the  Vlth  of  Scotland,  who 
could  never  fee  a  naked  iword  without  trembling ;  having 
been,  as  it  is  faid,  frightened  in  his  mother's  belly,  when 
the  fierce  barrons  of  that  country  came  in,  and  killed  Da^ 
vid  Rizzio  in  his  prefence,  I  was  once  feverely  caned 
by  a  Scots  officer  now  (if  employed)  in  your  fervice. 
Though  the  gentlemen  of  that  choleric  nation  have  beea 
very  much  our  friends  in  the  prefent  controverfy,  I  find 
it  is  dangerous  to  offend  them.  Buchanan  their  own  hif- 
torian  fays,  perfervidum  eft  Scotorum  in  genium.  There- 
fore by  the  by,  or  en  palTant,  for  I  fuppofe  you  are  at 
prefent  beft  pleafed  with  French  phrafes,  I  would  advife 
every  man  who  regards  his  own  peace,  however  fmooth 
and  gentle  a  Scotchman  may  appear,  not  to  take  him 
against  the  hair,  as  the  faying  is  in  their  own  country, 
biit  to  remember  the  motto  that  furrounds  the  thiftle.  Ne- 
mo me  impune  lacessat,  I  Alfo  very  narrowly  efcaped  a 
found  beating  from  a  New-England  parfon,  who  was 
ilrong  enough,  without  either  cane  or  cudgel,  to  have  pound- 


Stipplication  of  J,  R  ■    ■  %  39/^ 

ed  me  to  a  mummy.  All  this,  and  much  more  of  the 
fame  kind,  I  bore  with  the  mod  exemplary  patience  and 
fubmiflion.  Perhaps  it  will  be  laid,  that  though  no  dan- 
ger is  to  be  apprehended  from  any  deeds,  yet  I  may  do 
harm  enough  by  words  and  writing.  To  this  I  anfwer, 
that  I  have  expended  and  exhaufted  my  whole  faculty  of 
that  kind  in  the  fervice  of  the  Englifh.  1  have  tried  falfe- 
hood  and  mifreprefentation  in  every  lliape  that  could  be 
thought  of,  fo  that  it  is  like  a  coat  thrice  turned  that  will 

not  hold  a  fmgle  ft  itch.     My  friend^  Gen.  Ro n, 

told  me  foiTie  time  ago  in  my  own  (hop,  that  I  had  carried 
things  fo  far  that  people  could  not  believe  one  word  I  faid, 
even  though  it  were  as  true  as  the  gofpel.  From  all  this  I 
hope  it  plainly  appears  that  there  could  be  no  danger  from 
me ;  and  therefore  as  you  cannot  furely  think  of  being 
cruel  for  cruelty's  fake,  that  you  will  fuffer  me  to  live. 

II.   Any  further  punifliment  upon  me,  or  any  other  of 
the  unhappy  refugees  who  fhall  remain  in  N.  York,  will 
be  altogether  unnecelTary,  for  they  do  fuffer  and  will  fuf- 
fer from  the  nature  of  the  thing,  as  much  as  a  merciful 
man  could  wilh  to  impofe  upon  his  greateil  enemy.     By 
this  1  mean  the  dreadful  mortification  (after  our  paft  puiF- 
ing  and  vaunting)  of  being  under  the  dominion  of  the  Gon- 
grels,  feeing  and  hearing  the  condud  and  difcourfe  of  the 
friends  of  America,  and  perhaps  being  put  in  mind  of  our 
own,  in  former  times.     You  have  probably  feen  many  of 
the  Englifh  newfpapers,  and  alfo  fome  of  mine,  and  you 
have  among  you  the/iriu  prifoners  who  by  a  miracle  efca- 
ped  death  in  our  hands.  By  all  thcfe  means  you  may  learn 
with  what  infinite  contempt,  with  what  provoking  infult, 
and  with  what  unexampled  barbarity,  your  people  have, 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  been  treated  by  the  Britifli 
officers,  excepting  a  very  fmall  number,  but  above  all  by 
the  tories  and  refugees,  who  not  having  the  faculty  of  fight- 
ing, were  obliged  to  lay  out  their  whole  wrath  and  ma- 
lice in  the  article  of  fpeaking.     I  remember,  when  one  of 
the    prifoners  taken  after  the  gallant  defence   of  Fort 
Wafliington  had  received   fcveral    kicks  for    not  being 
in  his  rank,  he  faid,  is  this  a  way  oF  treating  a  gentleman  ? 
The  anfwer  was,  gentlemen  ?  G—  d n  your  blood 


392  Supplication  of  J,  R- 


who  made  you  a  gentleman  ?  which  was  heard  by  us  alt 
prefeiit  with  urifpeakable  fatisfa(5lion,  and  ratified  by  ge- 
neral applaufe.  I  have  alfo  feen  one  of  your  officers,  af- 
ter long  imprifonment,  for  want  of  clothes,  food  and  lodg- 
ing, as  meagre  as  a  Ikeleton  and  as  dirty  and  fhabby  as  a 
London  beggar,  when  one  of  our  friends  would  fay  with 
infinite  humour,  look  you  there  is  one  of  King  Gongs^s  rag- 
ged rafcals.  You  mull  remember  the  many  fweet  names 
given  you  in  print,  in  England  and  America,  Rebels, 
Rafcals,  RaggamufFms,  Tatterdemdiions,  fcoundrels, 
Blackguards,  Cowards,  and  Poltroons.  You  cannot  be- 
ignorant  how  many  and  how  complete  vidlories  we  gain- 
ed over  you,  and  what  a  fine  figure  you  made  in  our  nar- 
ratives. We  never  once  made  you  to  retreat^  feldom 
even  Kojly  as  a  routed  army,  but  to  run  cffinto  the  'vooodSy 
to  scamper  away  through  the  Ji elds ^  and  to  take  to  your 
heels  as  usuaL  You  will  probably  foon  fee  the  gazette 
account  of  the  defeat  of  Mr.  Wafhington  at  Monmouth^ 
There  it  will  appear  how  you  fcampered  off,  and  how  the 
Englifh  followed  you  and  miOwed  you  down,  till  their  of- 
ficers, with  that  humanity  which  is  the  characteristic  of 
the  ?iation,  put  a  flop  to  this  carnage,  and  tli^n  by  a  maf- 
terly  firoke  of  generalfhip,  floie  a  march  in  the  night,  left 
you  fliould  have  fcampe  red  back  again  and  obliged  them 
to  make  a  new  flaughter  in  the  morning. 

Nov/,  dear  gentlemen,  confider  what  a  miferable  affair 
it  muii:  be  for  a  man  to  be  obliged  to  apply  with  humility 
and  felf-abafement  to  thole  whom  he  hath  fo  treated,  nay^. 
even  to  beg  life  of  them,  v^/hile  his  own  heart  upraids  him 
with  his  pail  conduft,  and  perhaps  his  meftiory  is  refreni- 
cd  with  the  repetition  of  fome  of  his  rhetorical  flowers.  It 
is  generally  faid  that  our  friend  Burgoyne  was  treated  with 
abundance  of  civility  by  general  Gates,  aud  yet  I  think 
it  could  not  be  very  pleaiing  to  him  to  fee  and  hear  the 
boys  when  he  entered  Albany,  going  before  and  crying 
Elbo%v  Room  for  General  Burgoyne  there.  Fear  and 
trembling  have  already  taken  hold  of  many  of  the  Refu- 
gees and  friends  of  government  in  this  place.     It  would 

break  your  hearts  to  hear  poor  Sam.  S -,  of  Phi- 

jadclphia,  weeping  and  wailing,  and  yet  he  was  a  peacea- 
ble Quaker  who  did  nothing  in  the  world  but  hire  guides 


Supplication  of  J.  R — — .— ,  ^93 

to  the  Englifh  parties  who  were  going  out  to  furprize  and 
butcher  you.  My  brother  of  trade,  G —  is  fo  much  A^^ttCi- 
ed,  that  foine  fay  he  has  lo(l,  or  will  foon  lofe,  his  reafon. 
For  my  own  part  I  do  not  think  I  run  any  ri(k  in  that  re- 
fpedt.  All  the  wifdom  that  I  was  ever  poficffed  of  is  in  me 
ftill,  praifed  be  God,  and  likely  to  be  fo.  A  man  that  has 
run  the  gauntlet  of  creditors,  duns,  and  bailiffs,  forye^rs 
in  England,  and  has  been  cudgelled,  kicked,  and  p — d 
upon  in  America,  is  in  no  danger  of  lofmg  his  reafon  by 
any  circumflance  whatever,  fo  long  as  there  is  the  lead 
profpedt  of  faving  his  life.  I  have  heard  fome  people  fay 
that  di (honor  was  worfe  than  death,  but  with  the  great 
Sancho  Pancha,  I  was  always  of  a  different  opinion.  I 
hope,  therefore,  your  honors  will  confider  my  fuffcrings 
as  fufficient  to  atone  for  my  offences,  and  allow  me  to 
continue  in  peace  and  quiet,  and  according  to  the  North- 
Britifh  proverb,  sleep  in  a  whole  skin, 

in,  I  beg  leave  to  fuggell,  that  upon  being  received 
into  favor,  I  think  it  would  be  in  my  power  to  ferve  the 
United  States  in  feveral  important  refpeds.  I  believe 
many  of  your  officers  want  politenefs.  They  are  like  old 
Cincinnatus,  taken  from  the  plow ;  and  therefore  muft 
Hill  have  a  litilc  roughnefs  in  their  manners  and  deport- 
ment. Now^  I  myfelf  am  the  pinkof  courtefy,  a  genteel, 
portly,  well-looking  fellow,  as  you  will  fee  in  afuminer's 
day.  I  underftcind  and  poffcfs  the  bienseance,  the  manner^ 
itiQgrace,  fo  largely  infilled  on  by  lord  Ghellerfield ;  and 
may  without  vanity  fay,  I  could  teach  it  better  than  his 
lordfhip,  who  in  that  article  has  remarkably  failed.  I 
hear  with  pleafure,  that  your  peopk  are  pretty  good  fcho- 
lar3,  and  have  made  particularly  very  happy  advances  ia 
the  art  of  fwearing,  [o  effentially  neceffary  to  a  gentleman. 
Yet  I  dare  fay  they  will  themfelves  confefs,  that  they  are 
Hill  in  this  refpccl  far  inferior  to  theEnglifli  army.  There 
is,  by  all  accounts,  a  coarfenefs  and  famenefa  in  their  ex- 
preffion  ;  whereas  there  is  variety,  fprightlinefs  and  figure, 
in  the  oaths  of  gentlemen  well  educated.  Dean  Swift 
fays  very  julUy,  'a  footman  may  fwear,  but  he  cannot 
fwear  like  a  lord.'  Now  we  have  many  lords,  in  the  Eng- 
lifh army,  all  of  whom,  when  here,  were  pleafed  to  honor 

Vol,  IV.  3D 


394  Supplication  of  J.  R- 


ine  with  their  friend(hip  and  intimacy  ;  fo  that  Ihopetiif 
qualifications  can  hardly  be  difputed.  1  have  imported 
niany  of  the  mod  necefiary  articles  for  appearance  in 
genteel  life.  I  can  give  them  Lav(  rnitti's  foap-balls,  to 
wafh  their  brown  hands  clean,  perfumed  gloves,  paint, 
powder,  and  pomatum.  I  can  alfo  furnilh  the  New-En- 
gknd  men  with  rings,  feals,  Avords,  canes,  fnuff-boxes, 
tvveeser-cafes,  and  many  other  fuch  notions^  to  carry  home 
to  their  wives  and  millrelTes,  who  will  be  «^//^;/-glad  to 
fee  them.  <You  are  alfo  to  know  that  I  import  a  great  ma- 
ny patent  medicines,  which  may  be  of  ufe  to  your  army. 
It  is  faid  that  forne  of  them  are  exceedingly  liable  to  a  dif. 
Oi'der  called  b}'  phyficians  the  rancomania,  which  is  fre- 
quently follov/ed  by  the  two  twin  difeafes  of  plumbopho- 
bia  and  fiderophdbia.  If  they  will  but  fubmit  to  a  flridt 
regimen,  and  take  the  tindure  drops  and  pills  which  I 
prepare,  I  am  confident  the  cure  in  molt  cafes  would  be 
infallible. 

I  have  been  informed,  that  a  certain  perfon,  well  known 
to  your  auguft  body,  has  clearly  demonllrated  that  virtue 
und  feverity  of  manners  are  neceffary  to  thofe  who  would 
pull  an  old  government  down,  which  fete  is  now  happily 
accomplilhed  ;  but  that  luxury,  diflipation,  and  ataile  for 
pleafures,  are  equally  necelTary  to  keep  up  a  government 
already  fettled.  As  I  fuppofe  you  are  fully  convinced  of 
this  moil  falutary  truth,  I  take  it  for  granted,  now  that  you 
have  fettled  governments  in  all  the  Hates,  you  are  looking 
out  for  proper  perfons  to  foften  the  rigid  virtue  of  the 
Americans,  and  lay  them  afleep  in  the  lap  of  felf-indul- 
gence.  Now,  I  am  proud  to  fay,  that  there  is  not  a  man 
on  this  continent  more  able  to  ferve  you  in  this  refpe^t, 
than  myi'elf.  I  have  ferved  many  of  the  Britiili  officers 
in  a  moft  honorable  ftation  and  character,  of  which  the 
great  Pandarus  of  Troy  v/as  the  moft  ancient  example. 
If  I  am  happy  enough  to  make  my  own  converfation  and 
manners  the  fiandard  of  the  mode,  I  believe  you  will  fee 
Very  powerful  elFe£ls  of  it  in  a  (hort  time.  But  if,  after 
recovering  your  friendfhip  myfelf,  I  am  able  alfo  to  bring 

back  and  reconcile  to  his  country  the  Rev.  Dr.  A , 

I  believe  the  fyllem  will  be  perfect.     T|iat  gentleman,  by 


Supplication  efj,  R  3^5 

Ills  robuft  form,  is  well  fitted  to  be  an  ecclefiaftical  bruifer, 
if  fuch  an  officer  ihould  be  needed  ;  and,  with  all  due 
deference  to  the  officers  of  the  American  army,  I  fhould 
think  that,  a  better  way  of  terminating  differences  among 
them  in  the  laft  refort  than  fword  or  pifloj,  for  many  ob- 
vious reafons.  He  has  alfo  dillinguifhed  himfelf  by  the 
publication  of  fome  poems,  on  fubjedls  extremely  well 
fuited  to  the  charadter  of  a  Chriftian  clergyman,  and  very 
proper  for  initiating  the  tender  mind  in  the  fofteft  and 
mod  delicious  of  all  arts,  viz.  the  art  of  love. 

Finally,  I  hope  I  may  be  of  fervice  to  the  United  States, 
as  a  writer,  publifher,  colledor,  and  maker  of  news.     I 
mention  this  with  fome  diffidence  ;  becaufe  perhaps  you 
will  think  I  have  foreclofed  myfelf  from  fuch  a  claim,  by 
confeffiiig  (as  above)  that  my  credit  as  a  newf-writer  is  bro- 
ken by  over-ftretching.     But  it  is  common  enough  for  a 
man  in  bufinefs,  when  his  credit  is  wholly  gone  in  one 
place,  by  fhifting  his  ground,  and  taking  a  new  depar- 
ture, to  flourifli  away,  and  make  as  great  or  greater  figure 
than  before.     How  long  that  fplendor  will  laft  is  another 
matter,  and  belongs   to  an  after  confideration.     I  might 
therefore,  though  my  credit  is  gone  in  New- York,  fetup 
again  in  the  place  which  is  honored  with  your  refidence. 
Befides,  I  might  write  thofe  things  only  or  chiefly,  which 
you  wilh  to  be  difoelieved,  and  thus  render  you  the  mod 
effential  fervice.     This  would  be  aiming  and  arriving  at 
the  fame  point,  by  maiiceworing  retrogade.     Once  more, 
as  I  have  been  the  ollenfible  printer  of  other  people's  lies 
in  New- York,  what  is  to  hinder  me  from  keeping  incog, 
and  inventing  or  polifhing  lies,  to  be  iffued  from  the  prefs 
of  another  printer  in  Philadelphia  ?     In  one,  or  more,  or 
all  oF  thefe  ways,  I  hope  to  merrit  your  approbation.     It 
would  be  endlefs  to  mention  all  my  devices  ;  and  there- 
fore I  will  only  fay  further,  that  I  can  take  a  truth,  and 
fo  puff  and  fwell  and  adorn  it,  ftill  keeping  the  proportion 
of  its  parts,  but  enlarging  their  dimenficns,  that  you  could 
hardly  difcover  where  the  iaJfehood  lay,  in  cafe  of  a  ftri;^ 
Inveftigation. 


396  Supplication  of  J.  R- 


That  I  may  not  weary  you,  I  conclude  with  recom* 
mending  myfelf  to  your  kind  countenance  and  protection  ; 
and  m  the  mean  time,  waiting  for  a  favorable  arrfwer, 
your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  fhall  ever  pray,  &Co 


C    397    ] 


RECANTATION 


O  F 


Beiijamin  Tozvne. 


*the  follomng  ivas  printed  in  Loudon^ s  Neiv-Tork  Pach 
€t^  published  at  FishkHly  October  \st,  1778. 


THE  follow injy  facls  are  well  known,  ifl.  That  I 
Benjamin  Tovvne  ufed  to  print  the  Pennfylvania 
Evening  Poll,  under  the  proteftion  of  Congrefs,  and  did 
frequently,  and  earnellly  folicit  fundry  members  of  the 
faid  Congrefs  for  diflertations  and  articles  of  intellij^encc, 
profefling  myfelf  to  be  a  very  £rm  and  zealous  friend  to 
American  liberty.  2d.  That  on  the  Englifli  taking  pof- 
fcffion  of  Philadelphia,  I  turned  fairly  round,  and  print- 
ed my  Evening  Pofl  under  the  protedion  of  General 
Howe  and  his  army,  calling  the  Conprefs  and  all  their 
adherents,  rebels,  rafcals,  and  raggamuffins.  and  feveral 
other  unfavory  names,  with  which  the  humane  and  po- 
lite Englifh  are  pleafed  to  honor  them.  Neither  did  I 
ever  refufe  to  infert  any  difiertation  however  fcurrilous, 
or  any  artiole  of  intelligence  fent  to  me,  althoufjh  many 
of  them  I  well  knew  to  be,  as  a  certain  pjentleman  ele- 
gantly exprelTcs  it,  facts  that  ncuer  happened.  3d.  That 
I  am  now   willing  and  defirous  to  turn  once  more,  to 


39^  ' Recantation  of 

unfay  all  thtit  I  have  laft  faid,  and  to  print  and  publifh 
for  the  United  States  of  America,  which  are  likely  to  be 
uppermoft,  againfl  the  Britiih  tyrant ;  nor  will  I  be  back- 
ward in  caUing  him,  after  the  example  of  the  great  and 
eminent  author  of  Common  Senfe,  The  Royal  Brute^  or 
giving  him  any  other  appellation  (lill  more  approbrious^ 
if  fuch  can  be  found. 

The  fa6ls  being  thus  ftated,  (I  will  prefume  to  fay  al- 
together fairly  and  fully)  I  proceed  to  obferve,  that  I  am 
not  only  profcribed  by  the  Prefident  and  Supreme  execu.. 
tive  council  of  Pennfylvania,  but  that  feveral  other  per^ 
fons  are  for  reprobating  my  paper,  and  alledge  that  in- 
ftead  of  being  fuffered  to  print,  I  ought  to  be  hanged  as  a 
traitor  to  my  country.  On  this  account  I  have  thought 
proper  to  publifh  the  following  humble  confefSon,  decla- 
ration, recantation  and  apology,  hoping  that  it  will  af- 
fuage  the  wrath  of  my  enemies,  and  in  fome  degree  re- 
ilore  me  to  the  favor  and  indulgence  of  the  public.  In 
the  firft  place  then,  I  dcfire  it  may  be  obferved,  that  I  ne- 
ver was,  nor  ever  pretended  to  be  a  man  of  character,, 
repute  or  dignity.  I  was  originally  an  underflrapper  to. 
tli«  Jamous  Galloway  m  his  infamous  fquabble  witb 
Goddard,  and  did  in  that  fervice  contrail  fuch  a  habit 
of  meannefs  in  thinking,  and  fcurrility  in  writing,  that 
nothing  exalted,  as  brother  Bell  provedore  to  the  fen- 
timentalifts,  would  fay,  could  ever  be  expe£ted  from  me. 
Now,  changing  fides  is  not  any  way  furprifing  in  a  per- 
fon  anfwering  the  above  defcription.  I  remember  to  have 
read  in  the  Roman  hiflory,  that  when  Cato  of  Utica  had 
put  himfelf  to  death,  being  unable  to  furvive  the  difFolu- 
tlon  of  the  republic,  and  the  extinclion  of  liberty;  ano- 
ther fenator  of  inferior  note,  whofe  name  I  cannot  recoi- 
led, did  the  fame  thing.  But  what  thanks  did  he  re- 
ceive for  this  ?  The  men  of  refledlion  only  laughed  at 
his  abfurd  imitation  of  fo  great  a  perfonage,  and  faid — he 
might  have  lived  though  the  republic  had  come  to  its  pe- 
riod.. Had  a  Hancock  or  an  Adams  changed  fides,  I 
grant  you  they  would  have  deferved  no  quarter,  and  I 
believe  would  have  received  .  none ;  but  to  pafs  the  fame 
judgment  on  the  conducl  of  an  obfcure  printer  is  mit 


Benjamin  Tawne. ,  399 

erable  reafoning  indeed.  After  all,  why  fo  much  noife 
about  a  trifle  ?  What  occafion  is  there  for  the  public  to 
pour  out  ail  its  wrath  upon  poor  Tovvne;  are  turn-coats 
\o  rare  ?    Do  they  not  walk  on  every  fide  ?   Have  we  not 

feen  Dr.  S ,   J A ,    T C-: ,  and 

many  others  who  were  firft  champions  for  liberty  ;  then 
friends  to  government, — and  now  difcover  a  laudable 
inclination  to  fall  into  their  ranks  as  quiet  and  orderly 
fubjeds  of  the  commonwealth  of  Pennfylvania.  The 
rational  moralifts  of  the  laft  age  ufed  to  tell  us  that  there 
was  an  efTential  difference  between  virtue  and  vice,  be- 
caufe  there  was  an  efTential  diflerence  to  be  obferved  in 
the  nature  and  reafon  of  things.  Nov/,  with  all  due  de- 
ference  to  thefe  great  men,  I  think  I  am  as  much  of  a 
philofopher  as  to  know  that  there  are  no  circum (lances  of 
adtion,  more  important  than  thofe  of  time  and  place. 
Therefore  if  a  man  pay  no  regard  to  the  changes  that 
may  happen  in  thefe  circumflances,  there  will  be  very- 
little  virtue,  and  ftill  Icfs  prudence  in  his  behaviour. 
Perhaps  I  have  got  rather  too  deep  for  common  readers, 
and  therefore  fhall  afli  any  plain  quaker  in  this  city  what 
he  would  fay  to  a  man  who  fiiould  wear  the  fame  coat  in 
fummer  as  in  winter  in  this  climate  ?  He  v/ould  certain- 
ly fay,  ''  Friend,  thy  wifdom  is  not  great."  Now  whe- 
ther I  have  not  had  as  good  reafon  to  change  my  condu(5t 
as  my  coat,  fincc  laft  January,  I  leave  to  every  impar- 
tial perfon  to  determine.  2.  I  do  hereby  declare  and 
confefs,  that  when  I  printed  for  Congrefs,  and  on  the 
fide  of  liberty  it  was  not  by  any  means  from  principle,  or 
a  defire  that  the  caufc  of  liberty  fhould  prevail,  but 
purely  and  fimply  from  the  love  of  gain,  1  could  have 
made  nothing  but  tar  and  feathers  b'j  printing  againll 
them  as  things  then  flood.  I  make  this  candid  acknow- 
ledgment not  only  as  a  penitent  to  obtain  pardori,  but 
to  ftiow  that  there  was  more  confiftenc^*  in  my  conduct 
than  my  enemies  are  willing  to  allow.  They  are  pleafed 
to  charge  me  with  hypocrify  in  pretending  to  be  a  v/hig 
when  I  was  none.  This  charge  is  falfe  ;  I  was  neither 
M'hig  nor  tory,  but  a  printer.  I  deteil  and  abhor  hypo- 
crify.    I  had  no   more  regard  for    General  Howe   or 


406  Recantation  of 

General  Clinton,  or  even  Mrs.  Lownng  or  any  othef 
of  the  chaste  nymphs  that  attended  the  Fete  Champetre^ 
alias  Mifchianza  when  I  printed  in  their  behalf,  than  for 
the  Congrefs  on  the  day  of  their  retreat.  It  is  pretended 
that  I  certainly  did  in  my  heart  incline  to  the  Englifh, 
becaufe  I  printed  much  bigger  lies  and  in  greater  number 
for  them,  than  for  the  Congrefs.  This  is  a  mod  falfe  and 
unjuft  infmuation.  It  was  entirely  the  fault  of  the  Con- 
grefs themfelves,  who  thought  fit  (being  but  a  new  po- 
tentate in  the  earth)  to  be  much  more  modeft,  and  keep 
nearer  the  truth  than  their  adverfaries.  Had  any  of 
them  brought  me  in  a  lie  as  big  as  a  mountain  it  fhould 
have  ilTued  from  my  prefs.  This  gives  me  an  opportu- 
nity of  ihowing  the  folly  as  well  as  malignity  of  thofe 
who  are  aduated  by  party  fpirit ;  many  of  them  have 
affirmed  that  I  printed  monftrous  and  incredible  lies  for 
General  Howe.  Now  pray  what  harm  could  incredible 
lies  do  ?  The  only  hurt,  I  conceive,  that  any  lie  can  do, 
is  by  obtaining  belief,  as  a  truth  ;  but  an  incredible  lie  can 
obtain  no  belief,  and  therefore  at  leaft  muft  be  perfeQly 
harmlefs.  What  will  thofe  cavillers  think,  if  I  fiiould 
turn  this  argument  againft  them,  and  fay  that  the  mod 
effedtual  way  to  difgrace  any  caufe  is  to  publifh  monilrous 
and  incredible  lies  in  its  favor.  In  this  view,  I  have 
not  only  innocence,  but  fome  degree  of  merit  to  plead. 
However,  take  it  which  way  you  will,  there  never  was  a 
lie  publifhed  in  Philadelphia  that  could  bear  the  leafl 

comparifon  with  thofe  publilhed  by  J R— - — in 

New-York.  This  in  my  opinion  is  to  be  imputed  to  the 
fuperiority   not  of  the  printer,  but  of  the  prompter  or 

prompters.     I  reckon  Mr,  T to  have  excelled  in 

that  branch  ;  and  probably  he  had  many  coadjutors. 
What  do  you   think  of  40,000  Ruffians,    and  20,00© 

Moors,  which  Moors  too  were  faid  by  Mr.  R to 

be  dreadful  among  the  women  ?  As  alfo  of  the  boats  build- 
ing at  the  forks  of  Monongahela  to  carry  the  Congrefs 
down  the  Ohio  to  New-Orleans  ?  Thefe  were  fwingers. — 

As  to  myfelf  and  friend  H ,  we  contented  our^ 

felves  with  publifhing  affidavits  to  prove  that  the  king  of 
France  was  determined  to  preferve  the  friendfhip  that  fub- 


Benjafnln  Tonone^  401 

filled  between  him  and  his  good  brother  the  king  of  En- 
gland, of  which  he  has  given  a  new  proof,  by  entering 
into  and  communicating  his  treaty  v/ith  the  United  States 
of  America.  Upon  the  whole  I  hope  the  public  will  at- 
tribute my  condutt,  not  to  difafFedlion,  but  to  attachment 
to  my  own  interefl  and  defire  of  gain  in  my  profelTion ; 
a  principle,  if  I  miftake  not,  pretty  general  and  pretty 
powerful  in  the  prefent  day. 

3dly.  I  hope  the  public  vAW  confider  that  I  have  been  a 
timorous  man,  or,  if  you  v/ill,  a  coward,  from  my 
youth,  fo  that  I  cannot  fight, — my  belly  is  fo  big  that  I 
cannot  run,—- and  I  am  (o  great  a  lover  of  eating  and 
drinking  that  I  cannot  ftarve.  When  thofe  three  things 
are  confidered  I  hope  they  will  fully  account  for  my  paft 
condud,  and  procure  nie  the  liberty  of  going  on  in  the 
fame  uniform  tenor  for  the  future.  No  juft  judgment 
can  be  formed  of  a  man's  character  and  conduct  unlefs 
every  circumftance  is  taken  in  and  fairly  attended  to  ; 
I  therefore  hope  that  this  juflice  will  be  done  in  my  cafe* 
I  am  alfo  verily  perfuaded  that  if  all  thofe  who  are  cov/- 
ards  as  well  as  myfelf,  but  who  are  better  off  in  other 
refpe6ts,  and  therefore  can  and  do  run  whenever  danger 
is  near  them,  would  befriend  me,  I  fliould  have  no  incon- 
fiderable  body  on  my  fide.  Peace  be  with  the  Congrefs 
and  the  army  ;  I  mean  no  refledlions  ;  but  the  world  is 
a  wide  field,  and  I  v/ifh  every  body  would  do  as  they 
Vi^ould  be  done  by.  Finally,  I  do  hereby  recant,  draw 
back,  eat  in,  and  fwallow  down,  every  word  that  I  have 
ever  fpoken,  written  or  printed  to  the  prejudice  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  hoping  it  will  not  only  fatis- 
fy  the  good  people  in  general,  but  alfo  all  thofe  fcatter- 
brained  fellows,  who  call  one  another  out  to  flioot  piilols 
in  the  air,  while  they  tremble  fo  much  that  they  cannot 
hit  the  mark.  In  the  mean  time  I  will  return  to  labor 
with  afTiduity  in  my  lawful  calling,  and  effays  and  intel- 
ligence as  before  fhall  be  gratefully  accepted  by  the  pub. 
lie's  molt  obedient  humble  fervant, 

BENJAMIN  TOWNE/ 
Vol.  IV.  3  E 


C  403   ] 


DESCRIPTION   or  THE    STATE 

OF 

N  E  W^J  E  RS  E  2. 


Answers  in  Part  to  Mr.  Marbois's  ^estioiis  respecting 
Nn\) -Jersey, 


I.  "TVTEW- JERSEY  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  a  line 
\y\  drawn  from  the  North  or  Hudfon's  river  to  the 
boundary  of  Pennfylvania,  fixed  about  ten  years  ago  by 
commifTioners  appointed  from  New- York  and  New-Jerfey, 
and  marked  in  all  tliefe  late  maps.  This  line  runs  near- 
ly weft,  and  pafles  about  thirty  miles  north  of  Morris-town 
in  New-Jerfey. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  eaft  by  Hudfon's  river,  from  the 
line  juft  now  mentioned  to  the  fea. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  fouth  by  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  from 
the  mouth  of  Hudfon's  river  to  Cape  May,  at  the  mouth 
of  Delaware  Bay.  And  on  the  well  by  the  Delaware,  to 
the  place  where  the  firft  mentioned  line  ftrikes  it,  between 
two  and  three  hundred  miles  from  the  fca. 

II.  Smith's  Hiftory  of  New-Jerfey  is  the  only  publica- 
tion that  can  anfvver  the  defign  of  this  query. 


404  A  Description  df 

\\\,  New-Jerfey  confills  of  thirteen  counties,  which^ 
beginning  at  Cape  May  on  the  Delawawe  Bay,  lie  in  th« 
follovvino:  order :  Cape  May,  Salem,  Cumberland,  Glou- 
cefter,  Burlington,  Hunterdon,  Sufiex,  Morris,  Bergen, 
ElVex,  Somerfet,  Middlefex,  Monmouth.  Thefe  coun- 
ties are  iub-divided  into  townfhips  or  precincls. 

There  are  no  cities  in  New-Jerfey,  but  Burlington  and 
Perth  An^boy,  which  were  feverally  the  capitals  of  Eaft 
and  Well  Jerfey,  as  will  be  feen  by  the  patents  and  hiftory 
of  the  fettlement. 

The  chief  villages,  or  confiderahle  places  in  New-Jer- 
fey, are  Haddonfield,  Mountholly,  Burdentown,  Trenton, 
Princeton,  Brunfwick,  Morriftown,  Springfield,  Wood- 
bridge,  Elizabeth-town,  Newark,  Hackenfack,  Pittllown, 
Cranberry,  Shrewfbury,  AUentown,  Pennington,  and 
fome  others  of  lefs  note. 

The  only  river  of  confiderahle  extent  in  New-Jerfey, 
is  the  Raritan  ;  the  two  branches  of  which  paffing  through 
the  north  eaftern  parts  of  the  flate,  unite  near  twenty 
nnles  above  Brunfwick,  and  receiving  the  Milfione  and 
fome  other  fmaller  ilreams,  it  becomes  navigable  about 
two  miles  above  Brunfwick,  and  from  thence  to  Amboy 
bay,  about  twenty  miles  by  water,  is  navigated  by  Ihal- 
lops  and  fmall  veffels  of  one  hundred  or  one  hundred  and 
Jifty  tons. 

South  river  pafles  through  Cranberry,  in  Middlefex 
county,  and  empties  itfelf  into  the  Raritan  before  it  reach- 
es Amboy. 

Black  river  is  a  confiderahle  ftream,  paffing  through 
Morris  county  eailward,  and  empties  itfelf  into  Hudfon's 
river. 

Pafiaic  river  pafles  through  Bergen  county,  and  enters 
into  the  bay  oppofite  to  Newark.  There  are  falls  pretty 
remarkable  on  tins  river,  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  which 
many  people  go  to  fee  as  a  curiofity. 

There  are  m^ny  other  fmall  rivulets,  not  confiderahle, 
and  many  creeks  and  inlets  upon  the  fea  coaft,  and  par- 
ticularly in  the  bay  and  river  of  Delaware,  none  of  them 
navigable  far  into  the  country. 

As  to  mountains,  there  is  a  ridge  not  very  high,  but 


tht  State  of  New-^ersef»  4(^5 

commonly  called  Rocky  Hill,  which  crofTes  the  great  road 
from  Philadelphia  to  New- York,  about  five  miles  eaftward 
of  Princeton  and  runs  from  die  fouth  eafl  to  the  north- 
weft,  continuing  about  ten  miles  in  length,  pafling  about 
one  mile  and  a  half  to  the  north  of  Princeton.  Though 
there  are  no  hills  properly  fpeaking,  there  is  a  continued 
and  gradual  afcent  from  the  Delaware  to  Princeton,  and 
a  gradual  defcent  from  thence  to  the  eallward.  There  is 
a  great  ridge  of  mountains  near  and  on  the  boundary  be- 
tween New-Jerfey  and  New-York,  running  chiefly  from 
eaft  to  weft. 

The  trees  are  very  various.  As  to  foreft  trees,  there  are 
oaks  of  various  kinds,  afli,  maple,  birch,  chefnut,  walnut, 
pine,  locuft.  The  middle  and  upper  parts  of  the  coun- 
try run  much  into  the  feveral  kinds  of  oak,  and  in  the 
lower  parts  are  to  be  found  great  quantities  of  pine  and 
cedar.  The  mulberry  tree  thrives  in  moft  parts  of  the 
flate  ;  and  it  feems  remarkably  favorable  to  fruit  trees, 
particularly  apples,  pears,  cherries  and  peaches,  of  all 
which  there  is  great  abundance.  The  vine  grows  fpon- 
taneoully  in  many  parts,  and  bears  a  large  blue  grape, 
not  unpleafant  to  eat. 

The  produce  of  the  improved  farms,  is  wheat,  rye, 
barley,  Indian  corn,  buckwheat,  flax,  and  hemp.  It  is 
ufual  for  farmers  to  have  a  fmall  piece  of  land  in  tobacco  ; 
but  it  is  only  for  their  own  ufe,  or  that  of  their  fervants  ; 
it  is  not  raifed  in  New-Jerfey  for  fale.  All  the  garden 
herbs  raifed  in  France  and  England,  thrive  well  in  Nev/- 
Jerfey ;  fo  probably  would  vines,  if  cultivated  by  perfons 
who  underftood  the  bufmefs. 

Black  cattle  are  raifed  in  New-Jerfey  to  great  advan- 
tage— alfo  horfes.  There  is  a  particular  turn  in  the  in- 
habitants for  raifing  fine  horfes^  from  the  breed  imported 
from  England.  There  is  alfo  a  large  breed  of  heavy 
draught  horfes,  in  thofe  parts  of  the  ilatc  chiefly  inhabited 
by  the  low  Dutch. 

IV.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  New-Jerfey  a^ 
prefent,  is  certainly  not  lefs  than  two  hundred  thoufand. 
There  was   an  exaO:  lift  of  them  taken  about  ten  years 


^otf  A  Description  of 

ago,  which  v/lll  be  procured  in  a  fhort  time.  There  are 
negroes,  but  they  are  certainly  not  above  one  feventh  or 
one  tenth  part  of  the  whole.  The  negroes  are  exceed- 
ingly well  ufed,  being  fed  and  clothed  as  well  as  any  free 
pcrfons  who  live  by  daily  labor. 

^      V.     There  is  no  profeflion  of  religion  which  has  an  ex- 
'^clufive  legal  eflablifhment.     Some   particuhir   churches 
have  charters  of  incorporation  ;   and  probably  they  would 
not  be  refufed  to  a  body  of  any  denomination.     All  pro- 
feiTions    are  tolerated,  and  all  proteflants  are   capable  of 
eledting  and  being  eledled,  and  indeed  have  every  privi- 
lege belonging  to  citizens. — There  are   in  New-Jerfey, 
Englifh  prefoyterians,  Low  Dutch  prefoyterians,  epifco- 
palians,  baptifls,  quakers.  Thetwofirfl,  except  the  differ- 
ence of  the  national  connexion  of  the  one  with  the  church 
of  Scodand,  and  the  other  with  the   church  of  Holland, 
and  the  language,  are  of  the  fame  principles  as  to  doc- 
trine.    They  have  the  fame  worihip  and  government, 
and  they  are  by  far  the  moft  numerous.     There  is  a  great 
majority  of  the  prefent  legiHature  ofthefe  two  denomina- 
tions.    Formerly  the  quakers,  though  not  the  majority, 
had  confiderable  influence  ;  but  hnce  the  late  contefl  with 
,s-ir    Great-Britain,  they  are  fewer  in  number,  and  altogether 
''  '  without  power.    The  epifcopalians  are  few.    The  baptifts 
are  preibyterians  in  all  other  refpects,  only  differing  iu 
the  point  of  infant  baptifm  ;  their  pohtical  weight  goes  the 
fame  v/ay  as  the  pre{byterians  ;  their  number  is  fmall. 

VI.  There  is  at  Princeton  a  college,  which  had  ori- 
ginally a  royal  charter,  begun  In  1748.  It  is  now  con- 
firmed in  its  privileges,  wnth  fome  alterations  and  im- 
provements, by  a6l  of  affembly.  The  charter  name  of  it 
is,  the  College  of  Nev/-Jerfey  ;  the  name  of  the  building, 
Naffau-Hall.  It  was  in  a  flouridiing  (late  before  the  war, 
having  about  one  hundred  and  fiity  under  graduates  and 
other  fcholars  ;  but  was  entirely  deiblated,  and  the  houfe 
made  a  wreck,  by  the  confufion  of  the  times — firft  by  the 
Englifli  army,  which  entirely  fcattered  the  fcholars,  and 
took  pofTeifion  of  the  houfe  j  and  afzcrwards,  by  the  A8iie<^ 


the  State  of  New-Jersey,  407 

rican  army  making  it  a  barrack  and  hofpital.  It  now  be- 
gins to  recover,  having  of  under  graduates  and  fcholars 
about  fixty. — A  printed  account  of  the  college  has  been 
given  to  Mr.  Marbois  before. 

There  is  alfo  in  Nevv-Jerfey  a  college,  whofc  charter 
name  is  Queen's  College,  fet  up  by  the  low  Dutch,  with 
a  particular  view  to  preferve  their  language,  and  all  the 
peculiar  cuiloms  of  the  church  of  Holland.  They  have 
no  building  as  yet,  but  have  carried  on  their  inllruclion 
ibmetimes  at  Brunfwick,  fometimes  elfev/here. 

The  College  of  New-Jerfey  is  the  bed  building  in  the 
flate.  Neither  churches  nor  court- houfes  are  any  where 
fumptuous.     There  is  no  public  hofpital  in  the  llate. 

There  are  few  men  of  letters  in  the  flate  of  New-Jerfey, 
except  thofe  who  belong  to  law,  phyfic,  or  theology  ;  and 
many  of  thefe  profeflions  are  often  taken  up  without  a 
liberal  education.  The  ftate  confifls  almoft  wholly  of  fub- 
flantial  farmers.  There  has  been  formerly  known,  efpe- 
cially  when  the  quakers  had  fome  power,  a  prejudice 
againfl  learning — That  prejudice  begins  to  wear  off. 

There  are  no  turnpike  roads.  There  are  flatutes  for 
the  widenefs  of  the  public  roads;  alfo  for  repairing,  though 
it  is  generally  poorly  done — yet  from  the  climate  and  the 
level  pofition  of  the  country,  the  roads  are  excellent  in 
fummer.  The  accommodations  in  taverns  are  in  general 
as  good  as  in  any  ftate  in  America.  The  great  road  from 
Philadelphia  to  New-York,  lies  through  the  Middle  of 
New-Jerfey,  by  Trenton,  Princeton,  Brunfwick,  Wood- 
bridge,  Elizabeth-town,  and  Newark. 

VII.  I  cannot  at  prefent  recolledl  any  cuftoms  pecu- 
liar to  the  ftate,  or  that  from  their  Angularity  defer ve  notice. 
New-Jerfey  was  firft  peopled  by  the  Low  Dutch,  at  lealt 
the  eaftern  part  of  it.  Their  language  is  continued  there 
as  yet,  though  wearing  out.  They  are  a  remarkably 
cleanly  people,  and  frugal.  They  ufe  their  ftaves  and 
other  fervants  with  great  humanity,  often  not  fcruphng 
white  and  black  to  eat  together.  People  from  all  the  other 
Hates  are  continually  moving  into  and  out  of  this  ftate,  fo 
that  there  is  little  peculiarity  of  manners. 


4^S  A  Description  of 

VIII.     ^he  presefit  state  of  manufactures^  commerce ^^ 
and  exterior  trade. 

Nevv-JeiTey  being  in  general  fettled  by  farmers,  with  a 
great  equality  of  rank  and  even  poflelfions,  no  confidera- 
ble  manufadlures  are  ellablillied  in  it.  There  are,  how- 
ever, tradefmen  dilperfed  through  it,  of  aimed  every  kind. 
The  farmers  being  frugal  and  plain  in  their  manners,  al- 
ways made  both  linen  and  woolen  cloth  for  their  own  fa- 
milies and  their  fervants.  They  have  given  greater  at- 
tention to  this  matter  within  thefe  five  or  fjx  years  that 
the  differences  with  Great«Britain  have  fubfilled.  I  be- 
lieve it  may  be  depended  upon,  that  there  is  not  one  in  ten 
V  of  the  members  of  the  legiilature  of  New-Jerfey,  who  is 
not  clothed  in  the  manufadture  of  his  own  family  for  the 
greateft  part,  and  many  of  them  have  no  other  clothing  of 
any  kind.  At  this  time  a  great  quantity  of  very  good 
cloth  is  made  in  the  families.  Some  tradefmen  in  differ- 
ent places  make  for  fale,  but  not  much.  There  are  fome 
very  confiderable  dealers  in  leather,  and  fliii  a  greater 
number  in  hats.  All  iron  tools  arc  well  made  here,  but 
not  for  exportation  out  of  the  (late* 

From  the  fituation  of  New-Jerfey,  there  is  hardly  any 
foreign  trade  carried  on  diredly  from  it.  The  merchants 
in  Trenton,  Brunfwick,  Burdentown,  and  feveral  other 
places,  have  boats,  fhallops,  and  other  fmall  veffels,  with 
which  they  trade  to  Philadelphia  or  New- York.  In  for-^ 
xner  times  fliips  might  be  entered  both  at  Burlington  and 
Amboy,  for  any  part  of  the  world  ;  but  hw  are  fent 
abroad — fuch  of  our  merchants  as  are  concerned  in  foreign 
trade,  being  almod  always  joined  in  company  with  fome 
of  tiie  large  cities  above  mentioned, 

IX.  A  notice  of  the  best  sea- ports  in  the  state,  and 
how  big  are  the  vessels  they  can  receive. 

The  bed  fea>port  in  the  date  of  New  Jerfey  is  Amboy^j 
which  can  receive  vefTels  of  as  great  burden  as  New- Yorke« 
Thcrfr  has  never  been  as  yet  any  great  foreign  trade  at 
Amboy.  The  vicinity  of  New-York  has  probably  been 
a  hindrance  to  it.  There  are  harbors  at  little  Egg  harbof 
and  great  Egg-harbor,  on  the  coad  of  the  Atlantic,  which 


the  State  of  Neiv-Jcrse^,  w!j6'9 

privateers  and  traders  have  made  a  confiderable  ufe  of 
fince  the  war.  They  cannot  receive  vefTels  of  great  bur- 
den ;  but  the  greateft  part  of  the  trading  vefTcls  can  go  in 
there.  The  fame  is  the  cafe  with  the  creeks  on  the  Jer- 
ity  Ihore,   in  the  river  Delaware. 

X.  A  7iotice  of  the  commercial  production  peculiar  to 
that  state,  and  of  those  objects  vjhlch  the  luhahitanis 
are  obliged  to  dravj  from  Europe  and  from  other  parts  of 
the  IV  or  Id. 

The  prodadions  of  New-Jerfey,  and  the  fources  of  its 
wealth,  are  grain  of  every  kind,  as  mentioned  under  quef- 
tion  third — horfes,  cattle,  falted  beef  and  pork,  and  poul- 
try. In  times  of  peace,  great  quantities  of  all  thefe  are 
are  fent  to  the  V/eft- Indies,  and  flax-feed  to  Europe, 
(hipped  however  more  commonly  in  Philadelphia  or  Nev/- 
York  than  any  port  in  New-Jerfey.  The  city  of  Phila- 
delphia receives  a  great  proportion  of  its  provifions,  in- 
cluding vegetables  of  every  kind,  from  New-Jerfey.  The 
foil  of  that  part  of  New-Jerfey  which  is  oppofite  to  Phila- 
delphia, is  exceedingly  proper  for  gardening,  and  derives 
much  q[  its  value  from  its  proximity  to  that  city. 

The  ilate  of  New-Jsrfey  is  obliged  to  draw  from  Eu- 
rope and  other  parts,  tea,  fugar,  wine,  fpirits.  Before  the 
war  they  purchafed  confiderable  quantities  of  Englifh 
cloth,  both  linen  and  woolen,  becaufe  cheaper  than  they 
could  manufaflure  it  in  many  indances,  and  becaufe  ma- 
ny tradefmen  and  others  had  not  the  materials  of  manu- 
failure.  All  articles  of  finery  they  mull  purchafe  if  they 
ufe  them — lawns,  gauzes,  filks  and  velvet. 

XI.  The  weights,  measures,  and  the  currency  of  hard 
money — Sojne  details  ?'eiating  to  the  exchange  with  Eu- 
rope. 

The  weights  and  meafures  now  ufed  in  New-Jerfey, 
are  the  fame  as  in  England,  of  every  kind — meafures  of 
length,  folidity,  fuperiicies,  dry  and  liquid.  The  mod 
common  for  grain  is  the  buHicl,  which  contains  eight 
AVincheiler  gallons,  and  each  gallon  two  hundred  and 
feventy-tvvo  and  a  quarter  folid  inches. 

Vol.  IV.  3  F 


41  o  J.  Description  of 

The  exchange  between  New-Jerfey  and  Europe,  is 
carried  on  ahTiofl  wholly  through  Philadelphia  and  New- 
York. 

The  ftatute  currency  of  money  in  New-Jerfey  is  in  the 
fame  proportion  to  flerling  as  that  of  Pennfylvania,  that 
is,  as  five  to  three.  A  Spanifh  milled  dollar  is,  of  New- 
Jerfey  proclamation  money,  feven  fliillings  and  fix  pence. 
There  was  twenty  years  ago,  a  currency  or  way  of  reckon- 
ing in  New-Jerfey,  commonly  called  light  money,  accor- 
ding to  which  a  dollar  was  eight  fhillings  and  eight  pence, 
but  this  feems  now  to  be  wholly  difufed,  or  confined  only 
to  the  north-eaftern  part  of  the  flate.  The  other  way  of 
reckoning  is  cdiihd  proclamatw?i  money y  which  prevails. 

XII.  The  public  income  and  expenses. 
The  public  income  of  New-Jerfey  confifts,  fo  far  as 
is  known  to  me,  of  taxes  annually  laid  by  the  aflem- 
blies ;  and  is  great  or  fmall,  as  they  fliall  think  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  ftate  require.  There  is  in  general  a  great 
difpofition  to  fave  the  public  money  ;  indeed  fuch  as  in 
many  inllances  to  make  inadequate  provifion.  The  fala- 
ry  of  the  governor  was  by  the  acl  of  fupply,  Odober  1775, 
before  the  change  from  a  colony  to  a  free  (late,  twelve 
hundred  pounds,  proclamation  money  ;  the  judges  of  the 
lupreme  court,  three  in  number,  had  each  of  them  one 
hundred  and  fifty  the  fame  year  ;  all  other  expenfes  for 
clerks,  &:c.  were  fmall ;  and  the  members  of  council  and 
allembly  had  each  eight  fliillings  for  every  day's  attend- 
ance. The  delegates  in  congrefs  had  at  firll  twenty  fliil- 
lings per  day  ;  and  during  the  depreciation  of  the  money, 
if  they  made  any  allowance  at  the  beginning  of  the  year 
becaufe  of  its  bad  ftate  then,  they  never  made  any  amends 
for  the  increafed  depreciation  before  the  year  expired. — 
As  to  this  and  all  fuch  matters,  they  may  be  feen  more 
fully  from  the  printed  laws,  which  I  believe  may  be  pur- 
chafed  of  Ifaac  Collins,  printer  to  the  Hate,  in  Trenton* 


the  State  of  Nevj- Jersey.  4H. 

XIII.  The  measures  taken  vjith  regard  to  the  estates 
and  possessions  of  the  rebels,  commordy  called  tories. 

They  have  been  all  Ibid  oft'  inperpetuum,  and  are  now 
in  poflefllon  of  the  new  proprietors  ;  the  debts  upon  them 
to  faithful  fubjeds,  having  been  iirit  difcharged. 

XIV.  The  marine  and  navigation. 
There  are  no  veffels  whatever  belonging  to  the  ftate  of 
New-Jerfey.  There  are  privateers  who  have  commiirions, 
which  fail  from  the  ports  on  the  coafi:,  or  on  the  enemy's 
lines.  There  is  an  admiralty  court  eftabliflied  for  the 
condemnation  of  prizes. — As  to  merchant  lliips,  fee  the 
anfwer  to  queftion  eighth. 

XV.  A  7iotice  of  the  mines^  and  other  subterranean 
riches. 

Tiiere  are  fome  very  valuable  iron  mines  in  New- 
Jerfey,  in  Morris  and  Suflex  counties.  Some  companies 
in  England  were  concerned  in  working  fome  of  thefe 
mines  before  the  war.  It  was  fufpe^led  fome  years  ago, 
that  there  were  copper  mines  in  New-Jerfey  ;  but  no  trial 
hitherto  made  has  fully  fucceeded — fome  gentlemen  loft 
their  fortunes  in  the  attempt. 

It  is  not  known  whether  there  are  any  coal  mines  or 
not,  as  people  every  where  burn  wood. 

XVI.  Some  samples  of  the  mines,  a?id  of  the  extra- 
ordinary stones  ;  in  short,  a  notice  of  all  that  can  increase 
the  progress  of  human  knowledge. 

Iron  ore  is  fo  very  common,  that  it  cannot  be  fuppofed 
to  be  an  objedt  of  curiofity.  I  have  heard  of  and  ktn 
fome  pieces  of  black  matter,  that  was  laid,  when  dlflblv- 
ed  in  water,  to  be  exceedingly  good  ink.  If  this  or  any 
other  curiofity  can  be  obtained  by  enquiry,  they  Ihall  be 
forwarded. — There  is  very  good  marl  in  fome  parts  of 
New-Jerfey,  to  the  eaftward. — There  is  no  limeftone  in 
the  parts  of  New-Jerfey  where  I  have  been,  but  probably 
there  is  fome  in  SuiTex, — There  are  in  feveral  places  of 
New-Jerfey,  fugar-maple  trees,  whence  the  country  peo- 
ple draw  fugar  for  their  own  ufe,  as  in  the  back  parts  of 
New-Iiampfaire  and  Vermont. 


412  J  Description^  ^c. 

XVII.  A  description  of  the  Indians  established  in 
the  states^  before  the  European  settlements,  and  of  those 
"voho  are  still  remaining.  An  indication  of  the  Indian 
monuments  discovered  in  that  state. 

The  Indians  and  their  manner  of  life,  are  defcribed  in 
feveral  books,  niuch  better  than  I  can  do  it,  who  was  ne- 
ver among  them.  And  indeed  by  comparing  together  all 
that  I  have  ever  heard  or  read,  it  appears  that  the  charac- 
teriftic  features  of  the  Indians  of  North-America,  are  the 
--7  fame  which  have  diftinguifhed  lavages  in  all  parts  of  the 
world,  and  wherever  difccvered — gravity  and  fullennefs 
of  deportm.ent,  love  of  hunting  and  war — that  is  to  fay^ 
depredation  ;  ferocity  to  their  captives,  lazinefs  and  aver- 
fion  to  habitual  labor,  tyranny  over  the  female  fex,  paf- 
five  courage,  and,  if  it  may  be  called  fo,  adlive  cowardice, 
and  flrong  pafTions  both  of  lafting  gratitude  and  unextin- 
guifhable  refentment. 

The  chief  thing  that  a  philofopher  can  learn  from  the 
Indians  in  New-Jerfey  is,  that  perhaps  the  moft  complete 
experiment  has  been  made  here  how  they  would  agree 
with  cultivated  life.     At  the  time  when  the  Indians  fold 
^nd  confirmed  the  lands  to  the  fettlers,  at  their  own  re- 
I     quefl:,  a  .tra£t  of  land  was  purchafed  for  them  to  live  in- 
-f    the  heart  of  the  colony,  in  Burlington  county,  of  three 
jhoufand  acres  and  more,  which  was  fecured  to  them  by 
law.     They  had  a  village  built,  and  a  houfe  of  worfiiip 
and  a  miniller,  and  every  poffible  encouragement  given 
them  to  cultivate  the  land,  and  carry  on  trades  ;  yet,  af- 
ter* all,  they  were  fo  far  from  increafing  in  numbers  or 
improving  in  induflry,  that  at  different  times  feveral  of 
them  went  back  into  the  woods,  and  the  remainder  dwin- 
dled away,  fo  that  there  are  few  of  them  now  left.     On 
the  whole  it  does  not  appear,  that  either  by  our  people 
going  among  them,  or  by  their  being  brought  among  us, 
that  it  is  poffible  to  give  them  a  relifh  of  civilized  life. 
There  have  been  fome  of  them  educated  at  this  college, 
fis  well  as  in  New-England  ;  but  feldom  or  never  did  they 
piove  either  good  or  ufeful,  —  —  — 


C  413    ] 


A     TEW 

KEFLECTIONS 

Humbly  submitted  10  the  Consideration  of  the  Public  in 
general,  and  in  particular  to  the  Congress  of  the  Uni^ 
ted  States. 


THOUGH  the  following  refledlions  come  from  an 
individual  citizen,  no  way  connedled  with  public 
bufinefs,  I  hope  they  will  be  read  with  ciindor  and  atten- 
tion. All  good  conduct  proceeds  Irom  certain  radical 
principles;  and  retired  theoretical  perfons  certainly  may 
judge  as  wdl,  perhaps  they  often  judge  better,  of  thofe, 
than  fuch  as  are  engaged  in  the  buflle  and  hurry  of  an  ac- 
tive life,  or  occupied  in  the  management  of  particular  af- 
fairs. Another  circumflance  which  encourages  me  in 
this  hope  is,  that  I  intend  to  offer  nothing  but  what  fhall 
be  even  beyond  the  imputation  of  proceeding,  either  from 
party  attachment  or  mercenary  views. 

When  the  Federal  conllitution  was  agreed  on,  it  was 
the  fervent  defire,  and  1  may  fay  the  earneft  prayer  of  ma- 
ny, that  it  might  take  place,  and  get  into  operation  with 
quietnefs,  and  under  the  acquiefcence  and  approbation  of 
the  public.  This  [  thinlc  we  may  fay,  has  happily  bffen  the 
cafe  fo  far  as  we  have  yet  proceeded.  The  peribns  chofen 
to  fill  the  houfes  of  Gongrefs,  have  been  generally  ap- 
proved. Perhaps  fome  Rates,  in  a  {^w  inftances,  might 
have  made  a  better  choice  ;  but  upon  the  whole,  there  is 


414  On  the  Federal-City] 

little  reafon  to  complain.  I  remember  to  have  heard  a 
gentleman  well  acquainted  with  the  fubjeO;,  fay  of  the  for- 
mer Congrefs  which  conduced  the  war,  that  he  had  never 
known  a  time  in  which  it  did  not  contain  a  great  plurality 
of  men  of  integrity,  and  of  thofe  a  very  refpeOiable  num- 
ber of  diftinguifhed  abilities.  I  hope  and  believe  that 
this  is  the  cafe  at  prefent ;  and  may  it  always  continue  to 
be  fo. 

The  meafures  taken  by  Congrefs  in  their  laft  feffion, 
have  in  general  given  fatisfa<5tion.  I  am  not  ignorant 
that  there  have  been  fome  fevere,  and  in  my  opinion  pe- 
tulant and  infolent  remarks  made  upon  the  falaries  fixed 
for  public  officers,  and  the  compenfation  allowed  for  the 
attendance  of  members  of  Congrefs,  efpecially  the  laft. 
I  am  of  opinion,  however,  that  they  are  both  reafonable, 
and  the  lall  at  leaft  as  reafonable,  if  not  more  fo,  than  the 
iirft.  I  hope  few  perfons  vvill  ever  be  in  Congrefs,  who, 
devoting  their  time  to  the  public  fervice,  may  not  well 
deferve  the  compenfation  fixed  for  them,  from  their  cha- 
ra(^er  and  talents.  And  if  they  have  lucrative  profef- 
fions,  or  valuable  private  fortunes,  thefe  mufl  be  deferted 
for  a  time,  and  probably  a  lofs  incurred  greater  than  the 
whole  wages.  I  Ihould  alfo  be  forry  to  hear  of  any  mem- 
ber of  Congrefs  who  became  rich  by  the  favings  above  his 
expenfe.  I  know  very  well,  that  there  have  been  Con- 
grefs men  and  affembly  men  too,  who  have  carried  home 
confiderable  fums  from  lefs  wages ;  but  they  were  fuch 
generally  as  did  more  good  to  their  families  by  their  penu- 
ry, than  to  their  country  by  their  political  wifdom. 

I  come  now  to  what  I  chiefly  intended  by  this  fhort 
elTay.  Much  time  of  the  lall  feflion  v^as  fpent  in  debates 
upon  fixing  a  place  for  the  permanent  refidence  of  Con- 
grefs, and  building  a  federal  city.  That  matter  was  un- 
der the  confideration  of  the  former  Congrefs,  and  was  fix- 
ed and  unnxed  I  believe  more  than  once.  It  always  oc- 
cafioned  great  altercation  ;  nor  was  it  poffible  to  tell  when 
it  was  fettled ;  for  whenever  Congrefs  changed  its  mem- 
bers, or  the  members  dianged  their  opinions,  every  thing 
that  had  been  done  was  undone.  In  the  laft  meeting  of 
the  feder^il  Congrefs,  it  feems  to  have  been  finally  decU 


On  the  Federal  City.  41  j 

dec!  ;  but,  either  by  accident  or  the  addrefs  of  fome  who 
were  oppofed  to  the  decifion,  it  was  thrown  open  again, 
and  is  now  left  as  unfettled  as  ever.  I  have  not  met  with 
any  body  who  was  forry,  but  with  many  who  were  happy 
at  this  circumdance  ;  and  I  fincerely  wifh  that  it  may  be 
lufFered  to  deep  in  its  prefent  fiiuation  at  lead  for  a  confi- 
derable  time,  and  till  fome  other  bufmefs  of  greater  and 
more  confefTed  importance  fhall  be  completely  finifned. 
I  am  now  to  give  my  reafons  for  this  opinion. 

1.  A  determination  upon  that  fubjed  is  not  necessary. 
When  I  fay  it  is  not  neceflary,  I  mean  that  we  are  not 
urged  to  it  by  any  preffing  inconv^niencies  or  injuries 
which  we  have  fuffered  or  are  fuffering  for  want  of  it. 
Every  body  muft  own  that  it  would  be  very  expenfive  ; 
and  indeed  I  am  one  myfelf,  who,  if  it  were  to  be  done  at 
all,  and  there  were  buildings  to  be  ereQed  which  ihould 
not  belong  to  any  Hate,  but  to  the  union,  would  wifh  that 
they  (hould  be  not  barely  elegant,  but  magnificent,  that 
they  might  not  derogate  from  the  dignity  of  the  empire. 
This  is  not  even  contrary  to  the  general  principle  of  eco- 
nomy ;  for  it  has  been  obferved  that  fome  of  the  moft  fru- 
gal nations  have  been  mod  fumptuous  in  their  public  edi- 
fices, of  which  the  fladthoufe  at  Amllerdam  is  an  example. 
Therefore,  iftheneceflity  were  great,  if  the  public  bufinefs 
could  not  be  carried  on,  nor  the  public  authority  main- 
tained without  it,  I  fhould  be  for  fubmitting  to  every  in- 
convenience— I  would  not  be  deterred  even  by  the  expenfe 
itfelf.  But  is  this  really  the  cafe  ?  Does  it  appear  to  he 
necefK^ry  from  the  nature  of  the  thing  ?  No.  The  weight 
and  influence  of  any  deliberative  or  legiflative  body,  de- 
pend much  more  on  the  wifdom  of  their  meafures,  than 
the  fplendid  apartments  in  which  they  are  aiTembled. 
Does  it  appear  to  be  necefiary  from  experience  or  the  ex- 
ample of  other  nations  ?  I  think  not.  I  can  hardly  re- 
collecl  above  one  or  tv/o  of  the  kingdoms  or  dates  of  Eu- 
rope, in  which  the  capital  is  central ;  and  as  to  confede- 
rated republics,  fome  of  them  have  no  comn>on  capital 
at  all.  The  Swifs  Cantons  have  no  federal  city.  The 
different  dates  of  which  this  lad  confids,  have  for  ages, 
when  they  had  occafioa  to  meet  for  common  confultation, 


4 1 6  On  the  Federal  City. 

held  their  Diets  in  difierent  places.  But  we  need  go  tio 
farther  than  our  own  experience.  Did  not  the  former 
Congrefs  carry  on  the  war  with  Great-Britain,  defend  and 
fecure  the  liberties  of  the  United  States,  without  a  federal 
city  ?  AVas  the  want  of  it  greatly  or  deeply  felt  as  an  in- 
convenience ?  I  do  not  recolledt  a  fingle  complaint  made 
in  fpeech  or  writing  upon  the  fubjed. 

2.  It  can  be  but  little  profitable.  The  truth  is,  when 
I  attempt  to  recolle6l  and  enumerate  the  advantages  to  be 
derived  from  a  federal  city,  in  a  central  place,  yet  thinly 
inhabited,  I  find  them  very  few  and  very  fmall.  If  the 
American  empire  come  to  be  one  confolidated  govern- 
ment, I  grant  it  would  be  of  fome  confequence  that  the 
feat  of  that  government  and  fource  of  authority  fhould  not 
be  too  diftant  from  the  extremities,  for  reafons  v/hich  I 
need  not  here  mention.  But  if  the  particular  ilates  are  to 
be  preferved  and  fupported  in  their  conflitutional  govern- 
ment, it  feems  of  very  little  confequence  where  the  Con- 
grefs, confiding  of  reprefentatives  from  thefe  Hates,  fhall 
hold  their  feffions.  There  is  not  only  little  profit  in  their 
being  fixed  and  central,  but  perhaps  fome  advantages 
might  arife  from  their  being  unfixed  and  ambulatory.  This 
1:1(1  feems  to  be  more  fuitable  to  the  equality  of  rights  of 
the  feveral  flates.  It  is  far  from  being  an  impoffible  fup- 
pofition,  that  the  Hate  on  which  Congrefs  fhould  be  fixed, 
would  think  itfelf  entitled  to  a  leading,  if  not  a  domineer- 
ing influence  over  the  other  flates.  As  to  eafinefsof  accefs, 
11: ch  is  the  (late  of  this  country,  lying  along  the  fea  coall, 
aid  having  fo  many  navigable  rivers,  that  any  city  what- 
ever on  the  coail  or  great  rivers  is  eafily  acceflible  ;  and  the 
difference  of  dillance,  efpecially  when  the  payment  is  to 
be  in  proportion  to  the  dillance,  is  not  worth  mentioning. 
It  is  farther  to  be  obferved,  that  though  buildings  may  be 
imuicd lately  railed  for  the  accommodation  of  Congrefs, 
yet  a  great  city,  or  a  city  of  opulence  and  commerce, 
could  not  be  raifed  for  a  long  trad  of  time.  It  is  even 
uncertain  whether  the  bare  refidence  of  Congrefs  during 
tlieir  annual  fedions  (which  it  is  to  be  hoped  in  a  few  years 
v/iiibe  but  fhort)  independent  of  other  circumllances, 
will  ever  raife  a  great  commercial  city  at  all.  The  Hague^ 


On  the  Federal  City*  417 

though  the  refulence  of  the  fladtholder,  is  hr  from  bein^ 
.the  larged,  moO:  populous,  or  moil  wealthy  city  in  Hol- 
.  land.  Now  I  humbly  conceive,  that  if  not  refidence  in, 
yet  nearnefs  to  fonie  important  commercial  city  or  cities, 
will  be  found  to  be  abfolutely  neceffary  for  tranfadlions  re- 
lating to  money  or  finance  :  fo  that,  if  the  advantages  and 
difadvantages  of  a  federal  city  on  the  propofed  plan  are 
fairly  weighed,  the  latter  would  preponderate. 

3.  There  is  reafon  to  fear  that  it  may  be  very  hurtful. 
Nothing  is  of  fo  much  confcquence  to  us  at  prefent  as 
union  ;  and  nothing  is  fo  much  the  defire  of  all  unpreju- 
diced, public-fpiritcd  and  virtuous  men.  The  federal  con-' 
ilitution  is  but  new.  It  is,  we  hope,  taking  place  ;  but 
cannot  yet  be  faid  to  have  taken  root.  It  will,  from  the 
nature  of  things,  take  fome  time  before  it  can  acquire  the 
refpecl  and  veneration  neceilary  in  every  government  from 
the  body  of  the  people,  who  are  always  guided  by  feeling 
and  habit,  more  than  by  a  train  of  reafoning,  however 
conclufive.  Now,  is  there  no  reafon  to  fear  that  the  dif^ 
putes  upon  this  fubjedl  may  produce  warmth  and  violence, 
and  perhaps  an  alienation  of  mind  in  fome  Hates  againft 
others,  very  prejudicial  to  public  order  ?  The  moll  trifling 
fubjeds  of  difpute  have  fometimes  created  divifions  both 
in  larger  and  fmaller  political  bodies,  which  have  ended 
in  common  ruin.  If  1  am  rightly  inforn^ed,  the  difj)utes 
which  have  already  taken  place  in  Congrefs  upon  this  fub- 
je6l,  have  been  carried  on  with  greater  virulence  of  tem- 
per and  acrimony  of  expreffion,  than  upon  any  other  that 
has  been  under  their  deliberation.  This  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered at ;  for  it  is  indeed  of  fuch  a  nature,  that  il  has  a 
Dearer  relation  to  ftate  attachments  and  local  prejudices 
than  any  other  that  can  be  named.  Perhaps  in  fuch  a 
queflion  it  is  lawful,  decent,  and  even  necefFary,  to  plead 
the  local  intereft  of  particular  Hates  ;  and  therefore  it  is 
to  beexpedled  that  every  delegate  will  contend  with  ear- 
neflnefs  for  that  of  his  own.  At  any  rate,  whatever  often- 
fible  public  reafons  may  be  devifed  by  a  fertile  invention, 
all  unprejudiced  hearers  will  believe  that  it  is  local  at- 
tachment that  guides  their  judgment,  and  inflames  their 

Vol.  IV.  3  G 


•2|.iS  On  the  Federal  City. 

zeal.  The  only  ufe  that  it  is  neceflary  for  me  to  make 
of  fuch  a  remark,  is  to  fhew  that  the  contention  and  ani- 
mofity  raifed  by  this  difpute  will  probably  extend  itl'elf  to 
every  other,  and  that  it  will  not  be  confined  to  the  conten- 
ding members  in  Congrefs,  but  will  fpread  itfelf  through 
all  the  dates,  whofe  caufe  they  plead,  and  whofe  interefl: 
Ihey  feem  to  efpoufe.  This  is  one  of  thofe  queftions  that 
had  much  better  be  decided  wrong  by  general  confent, 
than  decided  right  by  a  fmall  majority,  without  convinc- 
ing or  fatisfying  the  opponents. 

4.     In  the  laft  place,  it  is  certainly  at  leaft  iinseasonU' 
hie.     Though  it  were  pofiible  jullly  to  anfwer  all  the  ob- 
jedlions  I   have  ftated  above,  I  muft  Hill  fay,  there  is  a 
time  for  every  thing  under  the  fun.     A  meafure  may  be 
good    in  itfelf,  and  even  neceflary  in  a  qualified  fenfe, 
yet  if  there  be  another  duty  incumbent  upon  the  fame 
body,  that  is  better  and  more  neceflary,  this  furely  ought 
to  have  the  precedence  in  point  of  time.     Now,  1  think 
it  cannot  be  denied,  and  all  intelligent  perfons  in  the 
United  States  feem  to  be  of  opinion,  that  bringing  order 
into  our  finances,  refloring  and  efl:ablifliing  public  credit, 
is  the   molt  important  bufinefs  which  the  Congrefs  has 
to  do.     It  is  alfo  the  mofl:  urgent  in  point  of  time ;  be- 
caufe  in  the  interval,  many  public  creditors  are  in  a  fitu- 
ation  truly  deplorable,    whereas   I  can  think  of  nobody 
that  is  fuffering   much  for  want  of  a  federal  city.     The 
two  defigns  are  alfo  connedled  together  as  caufe  and  eflfedt ; 
and  I  need  not  tell  any  body  which  of  thefe  ought  to  go 
foremoft.     What  a  romantic  project  will  it   be  to  fix  on 
a  fituation,  and   to  form  plans  for  building  a  number  of 
palaces,  before  we  provide  money  to  build  them   with, 
or  even  before  we  pay  thofe  debts  which  we  have  already 
contraded  ?     This  is  a  matter  in  which  not  only  all  the 
citizens  of  America,  thofe  who  are,  and  thofe  who  are 
not,  public  creditors,  are  deeply  concerned,  but  on  which 
will    depend  our  future  fecurity,  our  interefl;  and  influ- 
ence among  foreign   nations,  and  even  the  opinion  that 
lliall  be  formed  of  us  by  poilerity  itfelf. 

Thefe  few  reflections,    not  enlarged    upon  as    they 
might  eafily  have  been,  nor  fwelled  or  exaggerated  by 


Oh  the  Federal  City.  4151 

pompous  declamation,  but  fimply  and  nakedly  propo- 
led, — I  leave  to  the  judgment  of  the  impartial  public; 
and  remain, 

Their  mofl  obedient, 

Humble  fervant, 

X.  Y. 


C  421    3 


ON   THE 


GEORGIA 
eONSTITU.TIOK 


SIR, 

IN  your  paper  of  Saturday  lafl,  you  have  given  us  the 
new  Conilitution  of  Georgia,  in  which  I  find  the  fol- 
lowing refolution,  "  No  clergyman  of  any  denomination 
Ihall  be  a  member  of  the  General  Aflembly.'*  I  would 
be  very  well  fatisfied  that  fome  of  the  gentlemen  who 
have  made  that  an  eflential  article  of  this  conflitution,  or 
who  have  inferted  and  approve  it  in  other  conflitutions, 
would  be  pleafed  to  explain  a  little  the  principles,  as  well 
as  to  afcertain  the  meaning  of  it. 

Perhaps  we  underfland  pretty  generally,  what  is  meant 
\}Y  a  clergyman,  viz.  a  perfon  regularly  called  and  fet 
apart  to  the  miniflry  of  the  gofpel,  and  authorifed  to  preach 
and  adminifter  the  facraments  of  the  Chriflian  religion. 
Now  fufFer  me  to  alk  this  queflion  ;  Before  any  man 
among  us  was  ordained  a  minifter,  was  he  not  a  citizen  of 
the  United  States,  and  if  being  in  Georgia,  a  citizen  of  the 
Hate  of  Georgia  ?  Had  he  not  then  a  right  to  be  elecfted  a 
inember  of  the  aflembly,  if  qualified  in  point  of  proper- 
ty ?  How  then  has  he  loft,  or  why  is  he  deprived  of  this 
Tight  ?  Is  it  by  offence  or  difqualification  ?  Is  it  a  fin  againft 
the  public  to  become  a  miniller  ?  Does  it  merit  that  the 
nerfon  who  is  guilty  of  it  fliould  be  immediately  deprived 


422  On  the  Georgia  Constitution^ 

of  one  of  his  mofl  important  rights  as  a  citizen  ?  Is  not 
this  inflicting  a  penalty  which  always  fuppofes  an  offence  ? 
Is  a  minifler  then  difqualified  for  the  office  of  a  fenator  or 
reprefentative  ?  Does  this  calling  and  profeffion  render 
him  ftupid  or  ignorant  ?  I  am  inclined  to  form  a  very  high 
opinion  of  the  natural  underflanding  of  the  freemen  and 
freeholders  of  the  (late  of  Georgia,  as  well  as  of  their  im- 
provement and  culture  by  education,  and  yet  I  am  not 
able  to  conceive,  but  that  fome  of  thofe  equally  qualified, 
may  enter  into  the  clerical  order:  and  then  it  mufl  not 
be  unfitnefs,  but  fome  other  reafon  that  produces  the  ex- 
clufion.  Perhaps  it  may  be  thought  that  they  are  excluded 
from  civil  authority,  that  they  may  be  more  fully  and  con- 
ftantly  employed  in  their  fpiritual  functions.  If  this  had 
been  the  ground  of  it,  how  much  more  properly  would  it 
have  appeared,  as  an  order  of  an  ecclefiaftical  body  with 
refpedl  to  their  own  members.  In  that  cafe  I  fhould  not 
only  have  forgiven,  but  approved  and  juflified  it ;  but  in 
the  way  in  v/hich  it  now  (lands,  it  is  evidently  a  punifii- 
ment  by  lofs  of  privilege,  infiidled  on  thofe  who  go  into 
the  office  of  the  miniftry  ;  for  which,  perhaps,  the  gentle- 
men of  Georgia  may  have  good  reafons,  though  I  have  not 
been  able  to  difcover  them. 

But  befides  the  uncertainty  of  the  principle  on  which 
this  refolution  i§  founded,  there  feems  to  me  much  uncer- 
tainty as  to  the  meaning  of  it.  How  are  we  to  determine 
who  is  or  is  not  a  clergyman  ?  Is  he  only  a  clergyman 
who  has  received  ordination  from  thofe  who  have  derived 
the  right  by  an  uninterrupted  fucceffion  from  the  apoftles  ? 
Or  is  he  alfoa  clergyman,  who  is  fet  apart  by  the  impo- 
fition  of  hands  of  a  body  of  other  clergyman,  by  joint  au- 
thority ?  Or  is  he  alfo  a  clergyman  who  is  fet  apart  by  the 
church  members  of  his  own  fociety,  without  any  impofi- 
tion  of  hands  at  all  ?  Or  is  he  alfo  a  clergyman  who  has 
exhorted  in  a  methodift  fociety,  or  fpoken  in  a  quaker 
meeting,  or  any  other  religious  afTembly  met  for  public 
worfhip  ?  There  are  dill  greater  difficulties  behind  : — II 
the  clerical  chara6ler  indelible  ?  There  are  fome  who  have 
been  ordained  who  occafionally  perform  fome  clerical 
functions  J  but  have  no  paftoral  charge  at  all.     There  are 


On  the  Georgia  ConstiniUoa.  423 

fome  who  finding  public  fpeaking  injurious  to  health,  or 
from  other  reafons  eafily  conceived,  have  refigncd  their 
palloral  charge,  and  wholly  dilcontinued  all  ads  and  exer- 
cifes  of  that  kind  ;  and  there  are  fome,  particularly  in  Nev,-. 
England,  who  having  exercifed  the  clerical  cftice  fome 
time,  and  finding  it  lefs  fuitable  to  their  talents  thaa 
they  apprehend,  have  voluntarily  relinquifhed  it,  and 
taken  to  fome  other  profefTion,  as  law,  phyfic,  or  mer- 
chandize— Do  thefe  all  continue  clergymen,  or  do  they 
ceafe  to  be  clergymen,  and  by  that  cellation  return  to,  or 
recover  the  honorable  privileges  of  laymen  ? 

I  cannot  help  thinking  that  thefe  difficulties  are  very 
confiderable,  and  may  occafion  much  litigation,  if  the  ar- 
ticle of.  the  conflitution  hands  in  the  loofe,  ambiguous 
form  in  which  it  now  appears ;  and  therefore  I  would  re- 
commend the  following  alterations,  which  I  think  will 
make  every  thing  definite  and  unexceptionable. 

"  No  clergyman,  of  any  denomination,  fliall  be  capable 
of  being, eledled  a  member  of  the  Senate  or  lloufe  of  Re- 
prefentatives,  becaufe  [here  infert  the  grounds  of  oiTenfiv^ 
difqualification,  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  difcover] 
Provided  always,  and  it  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of 
this  part  of  the  conltiLUlion,  that  if  at  any  time  he  Ihall 
be  completely  deprived  of  the  clerical  characler  by  rhofe  by 
whom  he  was  invefled  with  it,  as  by  depofition  fcrcurfing 
and  fwearing,  drunkennrfs  or  uncleanncls,  he  fliall  ii;cn  be 
fully  rellored  to  all  the  privileges  of  a  free  citiiicn  ;  his 
oflcnce  Ihall  no  more  be  remembered  againft  him  ;  but 
he  may  be  chofen  either  to  the  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Repre- 
fentatives,  and  ftiall  be  treated  with  all  the  refpcdl  due  to 
his  brethren^  the  other  members  of  AUcmb'.y. 


[     4^5     ] 


^^j-y^j-^ 


THE 

DRUID, 

Originally  Published  in  Numbers  Periodically. 
NUMBER    T. 


S  IR, 

IT  is  my  intention,  by  your  pernalffion  and  affiflance 
to  attempt  the  in[lrii6:iom  and  entertainment  of  the 
public  once  a  month,  on  mifcellaneous  fubjedls.  This 
letter  (IiaU  ferve  as  the  firfl  paper,  and  fhall  be  an  intro- 
cludlion  to  thofe  that  are  to  follow,  by  pointing  out  the 
fpirit  and  defign  of  the  undertaking,  and  the  plan  upon 
which  it  is  to  be  ccndu6ltd. 

The  title  which  I  have  affumed,  was  not  intended  to 
carry  any  wit  in  it,  and  indeed  not  much  meaning:,  fur- 
ther than  what  is  common  to  all  names,  the  diftinflioa 
of  one  thing  or  perfon  from  another.  It  proved  a  mat- 
ter of  no  little  difficulty  to  fix  upon  a  title,  after  fo  great 
a  variety  as  the  world  h:is  feen,  fmce  the  pra6\ice  of  pe- 
riodical elTays  v/as  firlt  introduced.  After  a  good  deal 
of  deliberation  on  a  matter  of  very  little  moment,  the 
above  was  fuggelled,  by  the  place  which  is  now,  and  is 
likely  to  be,  my  refidence,  while  I  continue  on  earth. 

Yoh.  IV.  3  H 


426  The  Druid. 

It  is  a  fmall  but  neat  houfe,  in  a  pleafant,  retired  fituati- 
on,  furrounded  with  woods,  in  all  the  fimple  majefty  of 
their  uncultivated  ftate.  Neither  was  it  unfuitable  to  my 
time  of  life,  the  age  of  fifty,  a  cool  and  contemplative  fea- 
fon,  when  men  of  education  or  bufincfs  have  generally  feen 
as  much  of  the  world  as  fatisfies  their  curiofity,  and  ena- 
bles them  to  underftand  well  enough  what  is  pafling  in  it ; 
fo  that  they  have  neither  neceflity  nor  inclination  to  mix 
again  in  its  active  fcenes, 

I  was  born  and  educated  in  Great-Britain,  and  had  all 
the  advantage  I  could  receive  from  a  long  refidence  in 
one  of  the  moft  celebratad  feats  of  learning  in  that  happy 
kingdom.  The  prime  and  vigor  of  life  I  fpent  in  the 
midft  of  public  bufinefs,  and  had  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  greateft  part,  and  perfonal  intimacy  with  not  a 
few,  of  the  perfons  moft  diftinguifhed  in  rank,  politics, 
or  literature,  for  the  lad  thirty  years.  From  what  cir- 
cumllances,  or  with  what  views,  I  came  into  this  coun- 
try, it  is  of  no  confequence  for  the  reader  to  know  ;  fuf- 
Jice  it  therefore  to  fay,  that  I  was  not  tranfported  by  Sir 
John  Fielding,  but  came  of  my  own  proper  motion  and 
free  choice ;  and  indeed  have  never  met  with  any  thing 
in  pafling  through  life,  that  could  be  fuppofed  either  to 
four  the  temper,  or  break  the  vigor  of  the  mind.  There 
are  not  a  few  who,  towards  the  clofe  of  life,  acquire  a 
fettled  hatred  or  contempt  of  mankind,  and  feem  difpo- 
fed  to  avenge  their  own  real  or  fuppofed  calamities  on 
the  world  in  general,  by  the  acrimony  of  their  converfa- 
tion,  and  the  virulent  fatire  of  their  writings.  Produc- 
tions dictated  by  fuch  a  fpirit,  have  often,  it  mud  be 
owned,  fuch  a  poignant  feverity,  as  deeply  wounds  the 
objedl  of  their  refentment,  and  yet,  I  think,  feldom  adds 
to  the  relifh  of  thofe  for  whom  the  entertainment  is  pro- 
vided. 

It  has  been  generally  fuppofed,  that  fatire  and  invec- 
tive is  the  way  of  writing,  of  all  others,  mofl  agreeable  to 
the  public  ;  and  the  reafon  given  for  it  is  very  little  to  the 
credit  of  human  nature,  viz.  The  prevalence  of  envy 
and  malignity  in  the  bulk  of  mankind.  Had  I  been  of 
this  opinion,  I  would  have  cautioufly  avoided  introducing 


The  Druid, 


427 


the  fentiment,  at  lead  fo  foon,  as  it  would  have  been  but  a 
poor  compliment  to  that  very  public,  whofe  attention  I 
mean  to  Iblicit,  and  whofe  improvement  I  wifh  to  promote. 
I  confefs  that  a  thorough  knowledge  oF  the  world,  and  ex- 
tenfive  reading  in  hiilory,  have  often  produced  mean 
thoughts  of  human  nature.  We  fee  fometimes  old  hack- 
neyed politicians  difcover  a  jealoufy  of  the  characters, 
and  an  indifference  to  the  fufFerings  of  others,  which  fur- 
prifes  and  oflfends  men  of  lefs  experience,  who  are  there- 
fore often  laughed  at  for  their  weaknefs.  This,  in  fomc 
indances  is  the  miflake  of  the  obferver,  while  the  coolneis 
and  compofure  of  fpirit,  the  deliberate  and  felf-collefted 
carriage,  which  is  the  efFedt  of  time,  is  falfely  called  a  caU 
lous  or  unfeeling  difpofition.  But  where  the  remark  is 
jufl,  and  a  real  and  general  hatred  of  others  has  obtained 
full  dominion,  it  would  not  be  fo  decent  to  infer  from  it, 
that  mankind  are  univerfally  worthlefs  or  incorrigible,  as 
to  impute  it  to  the  felfilh  meannefs  of  that  heart  in  which 
it  had  taken  place. 

It  is  very  common  for  authors  to  go  to  an  extreme 
on  the  one  hand  or  on  the  other,  in  fpeaking  of  human 
nature.  Thofe  philofophers  who  fpeak  of  it  in  fuch 
exalted  terms  as  to  contradict  the  truths  of  religion,  have 
prefent  experience  and  the  hiftory  of  pad  ages  direCtly 
againfl:  them.  The  mod  illudrious  perfons  in  the  re- 
cords  of  time,  have  derived  the  greated  part  of  their 
ludre  itfelf,  either  from  the  Angularity  of  their  character, 
or.  which  is  nearly  the  fame  thing,  from  the  depravity  of 
others,  who  needed  their  aflidance  for  indruCtion  or  cor- 
rection. It  was  fmartly,  at  lead,  if  not  judly  laid,  by  an 
author  not  many  years  ago,  that  the  wifdom  of  legiflators, 
and  the  admirable  policy  of  dates,  and  even  the  purity 
moral  precepts,  are  jud  fuch  arguments  for  the  dignity 
of  human  nature  as  gibbets  are.  There  is,  doubtlefs,  no 
fmall  degree  of  error,  ignorance,  predjudice  and  corrupti- 
on to  be  found  among  men  ;  but  thefe,  when  properly 
viewed,  ferve  rather  to  demondrate  the  importance  and  ne- 
cedlty  of  information  and  indruCtion.  There  are  not 
only  particular  indances  in  which  the  human  mind  has 
difcovered  the  mod  exalted  virtue  as  well  as  amazing  pow- 


42  S  ^hc  Druid. 

ers,  but  the  human  race  in  general,  wkh  all  its  defeats, 
is  certainly  the  noblefl:  and  mofl:  valuable  in  this  lower 
world,  and  therefore  the  it)o(1  worthy  of  cultivation.  To 
this  may  be  added,  that  there  is  no  circumflancc  in  which 
there  is  a  more  manifeft  diftiniSlion  between  man  and  the 
inferior  creatures,  than  that  the  individual  is  more  helplefs 
as  well  as  the  kind  more  noble  ;  and  therefore  the  inter- 
courfe  of  fociety  and  mutual  afTiftance  is  abfolutely  necef- 
fary  to  his  improvement  and  perfection. 

But  this  is  perhaps  treating  the  fubje6l  in  too  abflraCi 
And  phiiofophical  a  manner,  which  I  well  know  is  not 
much  to  the  tafte  of  the  prefent  age.  The  importance 
of  knowledge,  and  the  power  of  rntelledlual  light,  will 
be  readily  confefled.  The  que  (lions  to  be  ferioudy  de- 
bated with  himfelf  by  an  author,  at  his  firft  fetting  out, 
are,  What  encouragement  he  has  to  devote  himfelf  to 
the  public  fervice  ?  and,  what  reafonto  think  he  hath 
any  thing  to  communicate  that  is  worthy  of  the  public 
attention  ?  Now,  as  tothe^r^/  of  thefe,  it  is  my  opinion, 
that  though  error,  prejudice,  and  partiality,  are  very  uni- 
verfal,  that  is  to  fay,  they  have  place  in  fome  degree  ia 
many  perfons  of  every  rank,  age,  and  country  ;  yet  their 
influence  in  each  has,  properly  fpeaking,  but  a  narrow 
fphere.  Truth  is  much  ilronger  than  them  all.  They 
fhew  themfelves  chiefly  in  the  fmaller  interefts  of  particu- 
lars ;  but  there  is  a  candor  and  impartiality  in  a  difliufive 
public,  which  may  be  in  a  great  mcafure  depended  upon, 
and  which  will  both  hear  truth  and  obey  it.  There  is  not 
perhaps  a  man  in  that  public,  but  has  many  prejudices  and 
prepofleffions;  but  thefe  are  confined  within  certain  bounds, 
like  the  fphere  of  attraction  of  particular  bodies,  round 
himfelf:  when  you  go  beyond  that  fphere,  they  are  not 
felt,  or  they  are  felt  very  weakly.  There  is  an  cbferva- 
tion  I  have  fon^etimes  made,  which  I  do  not  remember 
to  have  read  in  any  author,  but  which,  if  juft,  Ihould 
teach  every  man  to  revere  the  public  judgment.  The 
remark  is,  that  I  can  fcarcely  recolle6t  any  perfon  well 
and  intimately  known  to  me,  vvhofe  performances,  either 
in  fpeaking  or  writing,  had  been  exhibited  to  the  world 
for  any  time,  of  whofe  talents  and  erudition  the  great  plu- 


The  Druid. 


429 


yallty  did  not  judge  exa£lly  in  the  fame  manner  that  I 
did  myfelf.  If  they  do  jullice  to  every  other  perfon,  why 
Ihould  I  doubt  their  doing  it  to  me  ?  Ignorance,  preju- 
dice, malice,  or  accident,  nvay  have  fome  influence  at 
firft;  but  their  eftcdls  are  merely  temporary,  and  are 
fpeedily  effaced.  Time  is  a  diligent  enquirer,  and  a  juft 
judge.  I  could  almofl  fay  the  fame  thing  of  a  man's  moral 
charadler,  under  two  exceptions  :  If  you  go  beyond  the 
bounds  of  local  politics,  and  abflracl  entirely  from  religi- 
ous differences,  every  man  is  fpoken  of  pretty  nearly  as 
he  deferves.  I  am  fufficiently  aware  that  there  are  par- 
ticular exceptions  to  this  general  theory,  but  I  have  not 
now  time  to  enter  upon  them  ;  and  therefore  fliall  leave 
them  till  they  fall  in  my  way  in  the  difcufhon  of  fuch  fub- 
jedts  as  jfhall  be  undertaken  in  my  future  papers. 

As  to  the  second  p^nt,  whether  I  have  any  thing  to 
communicate  that  is  worthy  of  the  public  attention  ?  It  is 
plain  from  the  appearance  of  this  paper,  that  I  have  al- 
ready judged  of  it  fo  far  as  to  make  the  attempt  ;  it  is 
therefore  too  late  for  me,  and  too  early  for  the  reader, 
to  take  that  matter  into  confideration.  I  iliall,  however, 
mention  briefly  the  plan  which  I  mean  to  follow.  The 
general  fubjcdt  of  thefe  papers  fliall  be  the  philofophy  of 
human  nature  and  of  human  li  e  ;  I  would  wilhngly  join 
fcience  and  reflection  to  experience  and  obfervation.  Li- 
terature  and  morals,  arts  and  induAry,  Iliall  be  my  chief 
themes ;  and  under  one  or  other  of  thefe,  every  thing 
may  be  introduced,  that  can  in  the  leall  contribute  to  the 
happinefs  of  focial  or  private  life.  I  mufl  beg  the  reader 
to  obferve,  that  in  handling  all  thefe  fubjeds,  i  fliall  have 
a  particular  view  to  the  Hate  and  intertll  of  this  rifmg 
country.  As  in  youth  the  human  frame  wears  its  lovelieil 
form  ;  as  the  fpring  is  the  moll  charming  feaion  of  the  re- 
volving year  :  fo,  a  country  newly  planted,  and  every  day 
advancing  to  a  maturer  Hate,  affords  the  highell  delight  to 
a  contemplative  philofopher,  and  is,  at  the  fame  time,  the 
ilrongeft  invitation  to  a£livity  and  ufcfulnefs. 

I  am  fenfible  that  fome  will  think  the  prefent  an  impro- 
per  feafon  for  beginning  on  fo  extenfive  a  plan.  They  will 
iay  the  time  calls  not  forfpeculation  but  action.     Ourin- 


^o  ^he  Druid, 

duftry  IS  now  all  turned  into  one  channel,  the  vigorous 
exertion  of  the  fpirit  of  defence.  When  liberty,  property 
and  life  are  at  ftake,  we  muft  not  think  of  being  fcholars, 
but  foldiers.  When  happy  peace  returns  we  fhall  be  able 
to  apply  with  proper  attention  and  vigor  to  the  improve- 
ment of  our  minds,  as  well  as  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
foil :  till  then  we  have  other  work  upon  our  hands.  I  mud 
inform  the  reader  that  thefe  are  miftaken  refleflions. 
There  is  fuch  a  connexion  among  all  the  arts  that  improve 
or  embellifh  human  nature,  that  they  are  beft  promoted  in 
conjundtion,  and  generally  go  in  a  body.  As  I  look  with, 
out  folicitude,  or  rather  with  uniliaken  confidence  of  fuc- 
cefs,  on  the  prefent  glorious  and  important  druggie  for  the 
liberties  of  mankind ;  fo  I  confider  it  as  a  proper  feafon 
for  the  mod  ardent  application  to  the  improvement  of  this 
country  in  all  refpe6is.  In  times  of  public  commotion 
the  human  mind  is  roufed,  and  (hakes  off  the  incum- 
brances of  fioth  and  felf-indulgence.  Thofe  who  put  on 
the  hamefs  and  go  into  the  field,  mud  be  encouraged,  af- 
fided,  and  even  fupported,  by  the  adivity  and  indudry  of 
thofe  who  remain  at  home.  Befides,  I  am  much  mida- 
ken  if  the  time  is  not  jud  at  hand,  when  there  ftiall  be 
greater  need  than  ever  in  America,  I  for  the  mod  accurate 
difcudion  of  the  principles  of  fociety^;  the  rights  of  nations, 
snd  the  policy  of  dates ;  all  which  fhall  have  a  place  in 
the  fubfequent  numbers  of  this  paper.  But  above  all,  can 
it  ever  be  unfeafonable  to  lay  before  the  public  what 
tends  to  improve  the  temper  and  morals  of  the  reader, 
which  fliall  be  the  ultimate  objedl  of  all  my  difquifitions  ? 
He  who  makes  a  people  virtuous^  makes  them  invincible. 
The  reader  will  now,  in  fome  degree,  underdand  the 
defign  and,  extent  of  this  undertaking.  As  to  wit  and 
humor,  I  choofe  to  make  no  promifes  upon  that  head, 
led  I  fhould  break  them.  Mod  people,  perhaps,  differ 
from  me  ;  but  I  confefs  I  would  rather  read  a  tedi- 
ous argument  than  a  dull  joke.  Yet  the  favors  of  the 
ingenious,  as  the  faying  is  (pod  paid)  may  perhaps 
enable  me  fometimes  to  gratify  a  reader  of  tade ;  only  I 
raud  take  the  liberty  of  being  pleafed  myfelf  fird,  other«^ 


The  Druid.  43  f 

wife  they  fliall  fleep  with  me,  or  return  to  the  authors. 
Some,  perhaps,  will  wonder  that  I  have  faid  nothing  of 
the  delightful  themes  of  love  and  gallantry,  efpeciallyas 
it  is  fo  eafy  to  eftablilh  a  connexion  between  the  tender 
paifion  and  military  glory.  The  younger  clafs  of  my 
readers  may  reft  fatisfied  that  they  (hall  not  want  good  ad- 
vice enough,  which  may  be  applied  to  that  and  to  every 
other  fubjedl ;  but  I  do  not  take  myfelf  to  be  qualified  to 
paint  the  ardors  of  a  glowing  flame.  I  have  not  feen  any 
killing  eyes  thefe  fevcral  years.  It  was  but  yefterday^ 
that  I  fmiled  involuntarily  on  reading  a  poem  in  your  lafl 
magazine,  fetting  forth,  that  both  Beauty  and  Wifdom 
had  taken  up  their  refidence  with  a  certain  nymph,  the 
one  in  her  cheek,  the  other  in  her  tongue,  and  that  they 
were  refolved  never  to  depart ;  which  I  thought  was  a 
little  unfortunate  for  all  the  reft  of  the  fex.  I  vvifti  eve- 
ry Strephon  and  Daphne  heartily  well,  and  that  the  ex- 
alted and  rapturous  phrafes  of  Arcadia  may  be  foon  brought 
down  to  the  compofed  difcourfe  of  a  quiet  man  and  wife 
in  Philadelphia  ;  in  which  character,  perhaps  they  may 
fometimes  hear  from  me,  I  hope,  to  their  great  benefit. 
I  am.  Sir, 

Your  moft  obedient  fervant. 

The    DRUID. 


NUMBER     II. 


SIR, 

WHEN  I  firft  came  into  this  country,  nothing 
was  farther  from  my  expe(5la.tion  than  the  con- 
teft  that  has  now  taken  place  between  Great-Britain  and 
the  Colonies.  The  reader,  I  fuppofe,  will  alfo  readily 
believe  me  when  I  affirm,  that  what  relates  to  this  im- 


432  ^he  Druid. 

portant  ftruggle,  made  but  a  fmall  part  of  the  matter  1 
had  meditated  and  digefted  for  the  fubjed  of  thefe  difler- 
tations.  But,  from  fome  letters  which  I  have  received, 
and  much  converfation  that  I  have  heard,  it  appears 
plain,  that  fomething  of  this  kind  is  expelled  from  me, 
and  that  if  it  is  long  withheld,  it  will  be  difficult  to  avoid 
fufpicion  from  the  warmer  fons  of  liberty.  It  is  not  eafy 
to  determine  what  branches  of  this  great  argument  it 
would  be  beft  to  take  up,  as  moft  fuitable  to  a  fpeculative 
philofopher,  and  at  the  fame  time  molt  necefTary  or  ufe- 
ful  to  the  bulk  of  my  readers.  The  natural  rights  of 
mankind,  and  the  caufe  of  liberty  in  general,  have  been 
explained  and  defended  in  innumerable  treatifes,  ancient 
and  modern.  The  application  of  thefe  principles  to  the 
American  controverfy,  has  been  made  by  many  writers 
among  us,  with  the  greatefl:  clearnefs  and  precifion.  The 
nature  of  government,  and  method  of  biilanciag  a  civil 
conilitution,  I  cannot  fay  has  been  handled  either  with  h 
much  fulnefs  or  propriety  as  the  other  topics  ;  yet  on  this 
alio  many  excellent  obfervations  have  been  made.  If  it 
has  not  been  much  reafoned  on,  it  feems  neverthelefs  to 
be  both  felt  and  underllood,  in  almoft  every  corner  of  this 
continent. 

Leaving,  therefore,  thefe  fubjeds  for  the  prefent,  as  v/e 
are  yet  engaged  in  a  war  fomewhat  fmgalar  in  its  nature, 
important  in  its  confequences,  and  uncertain  in  its  dura- 
tion, I  fliall  beg  leave  to  make  fome  remarks  as  a  fcho- 
lar,  and  as  a  citizen  of  the  world,  on  the  manner  of  car- 
vying  on  'war.  By  this  is  not  meant,  to  lay  down  a 
plan  of  difcipline,  or  tadics  for  an  army,  or  of  llratagems 
and  manoeuvres  for  a  general  or  inferior  leader ;  but  to 
confider  by  what  means  wars  of  different  kinds  may  be 
carried  on,  con fi flently  with  reafon,  confcience,  or  com- 
mon utility.  Every  body  mud  have  obferved  how  fre- 
.quently  the  newfpapers  have  been  filled  with  complaints 
o[  our  enemies,  as  ading  favagely  and  barbaroufly — as 
being  guilty  of  unnatural  cruelty — as  carrying  on  a  felo- 
nious and  piratical  war — as  ading  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  war.  I  have,  however,  taken  notice,  that  among  all 
thefe  differtations  little  or  nothing:  has  been  faid  to  fliew 


The  Druid.  43^ 

tt;/S)>  they  have  a(51ed  barbaroufly,  further  than  that  they 
have  adled  unjuRIy  in  being  our  enemies  at  all.  No  one 
has  told  us  what  are  the  laws  of  war,  or  endeavored  to 
make  us  underdand  when  enemies  may  be  laid  to  a6l  a 
fair  and  honourable,  and  when  a  daftardly  and  cruel  part. 

This  fubjedl;  I  (hall  now  therefore  enter  upon  ;  and  will 
endeavor  to  handle  it  with  as  much  fimplicity  as  pofTible, 
that  it  may  be  ufeful  to  perfons  of  the  loweil  rank,  and 
moll:  common  underftanding.  Let  me  trace  it  to  its 
fource.  Wherever  fociety  exills  founded  upon  clear  efta- 
blifhed  lav/s,  this  obliges  us  to  form  an  idea  of  a  Hate 
previous  to  the  formation  of  fociety,  or  before  fuch,  or  any 
laws,  were  made  and  acknowledged  to  be  in  force.  This 
is  called  a  Hate  of  nature.  I  do  not  enter  into  the  innu- 
merable queflions  upon  this  fubje6l  ;  as,  how  long  it 
could  continue,  when  men  increafed  in  number  ?  Whe- 
ther it  is  a  ftate  of  war  or  peace  ?  Whether  inclinatioa 
prompted,  or  necefQty  compelled,  men  to  enter  into  fo- 
ciety I  It  is  fufficient  for  my  purpofe,  to  obferve,  that 
jndependent  nations  are  in  a  (late  of  natural  liberty  with 
refpedl:  to  one  another,  or  as  man  to  man  previous  to  the 
focial  compa6\.  When  they  difagree,  they  have  no  com- 
mon umpire  or  judge  to  refort  to,  but  mufl  decide  their 
quarrels  by  the  fword*  The  queflions  then  to  be  refol- 
ved  are  thi^e  :  i.  Are  there  any  laws  at  all  by  which  they 
iare  bound  ?  or,  are  all  kinds  of  force  or  violence  equally 
jufl  ?  2.  If  not,  what  is  the  law  ?  what  is  it  that  makes 
the  diftindlion  ?  and,  3.  what  is  the  fandion  of  the  law  I 
To  whom  fliall  we  complain  when  it  is  broken  ? 

If  there  is  any  luch  law,  it  is  certainly  very  jullly  deno- 
minated, by  civilians,  the  law  cf  nature  and  nations^ 
Of  nature^  becaufe  its  principles  are  to  be  derived  from 
the  (late  of  natural  or  univerfal  liberty,  and  perfonal  in- 
dependence ;  and  of  nations,  becaufe  there  is  no  perfon 
in  fuch  a  ftate  at  prefent^  excepting  nations  or  large  bodies, 
who  confider  themfelves  as  independent  of  each  other. 
Now,  that  there  is  fuch  a  law,  I  think  is  evident,  not 
only  from  the  univerfal  acknowledgment  of  men,  and 
the  practice  of  nations  from  the  earlieft  ages,  but  from 

Vol,  IV,  3  I 


434.  l^he  Druid. 

the  nature  of  the  thing.  If  there  are  any  duties  binding 
upon  men  to  each  other,  in  a  Hate  of  natural  liberty,  the 
fame  are  due  from  nation  to  nation.  Bodies  politic  do 
not  in  this  circumftance,  differ  from  individuals.  The 
fame  anfvver  muft  be  made  to  the  fecond  quellion.  It  is 
impoffible  to  mention  any  right  that  an  individual  may 
jullly  claim,  either  as  to  perfon  or  property,  from  his  fel- 
low men,  but  a  fociety  has  the  like  claim  upon  any  other 
fociety.  Their  perfons  mull  not  be  aflaulted,  nor  their 
property  invaded.  The  fuigle  purpofe  of  fociety,  indeed, 
is  to  protedl  the  individual,  and  to  give  him  the  firength 
of  the  public  arm,  in  defence  of  his  juft  and  natural  right. 

But  it  will  be  afked,  in  the  third  place,  What  is  the 
fantlion  of  this  law  ?  and  who  is  to  call  the  offender  to 
account  ?  To  this  I  anfwer,  That  the  fanf  bion  of  the  law 
of  nature  is  nothing  elfe  but  a  fenfe  of  duty,  and  account- 
ablenefJi  to  the  fupreme  Judge  ;  to  which  may  be  added, 
fuch  a  fenfe  of  general  utility,  as  makes  men  fear,  that  if 
they  notorioufiy  trample  upon  it,  reproach  and  infamy 
among  all  nations  will  be  the  effedl,  and  probably  refent- 
ment  and  indignation  by  common  confent.  Agreeably 
to  this,  having  recourfe  to  force  is  often  called  an  appeal 
to  Heaven,  and  it  is,  at  the  fame  time,  generally  accom- 
panied with  an  attempt,  by  fome  public  declaration,  to 
convince  other  nations  of  the  juftice  of  the  caufe. 

Omitting  many  things  that  are  not  connedled  with 
the  point  I  have  in  view,  particularly  without  enumera- 
ting the  legitimate  caufes  of  war,  but  fuppofing  nations 
engaged  in  a  war  which  they  believe  on  both  fides  to  be 
julf,  let  us  ailc.  What  are  the  means  by  which  this  war  is 
to  be  carried  on  ?  The  firfl  and  moll  obvious  anfwer  is,  By 
all  manner  of  force  or  open  violence  ;  and  the  mod  able 
virarrior  is  prefumed  to  be  the  one  that  can  invent  weapons 
the  mod  deadly  and  deflru6live.  It  is  admitted  alfo,  on  all 
hands,  that  force  may  be  ufed,  not  only  againfl:  the  per- 
fons and  goods  of  rulers,  but  of  every  member  of  the  hof- 
tile  ftate.  This  may  feem  hard,  that  innocent  fubjeds  of 
a  (lateiliould  fuffer  for  the  folly  and  indifcretion  of  the  ru- 
lers, or  of  other  members  of  the  fame  Hate.  But  it  is  often 
unavoidaye.    The  whole  individuals  that  compofe  a  flate;, 


The  Druid,  435 

are  confidered  but  as  one  body.  It  would  be  impofTible 
for  an  enemy  to  diflingiiifh  the  guilty  from  the  innocent. 
When  men  fubmit  to  a  government,  they  rifk  their  own 
perfons  and  pofTcfiions  in  the  fame  bottom  with  the  whole, 
in  return  for  the  benefits  offociety. 

Upon  this  principle,  open  violence  maybe  faid  to  have 
no  bounds,  and  every  method  that  can  be  invented  to  fend 
deflrudlion  and  mifery  to  any  part  of  the  hodile  (late,  may 
be  thought  to  be  permitted.  But  upon  the  principles  of 
general  equity,  and  the  confent  and  pradlice  of  modern 
times,  adls  of  cruelty  and  inhumanity,  are  to  be  blamed, 
and  to  be  confidered  as  a  violation  of  the  law  of  nations. 
Many  of  them  might  be  eafily  enumerated,  fuch  as  re- 
fufing  quarter  to  thofe  who  fubmit,  killing  prifoners  when 
they  might  be  kept  without  any  danger,  killing  women  and 
children,  inventing  methods  of  torture,  burning  and  de- 
flroying  every  thing  that  might  be  of  ufe  in  life.  The  ufe 
of  poifoned  weapons  alfo  has  been  generally  condemned, 
as  well  as  the  poifoning  of  fprings  and  provifions. 

The  celebrated  Dr.  Robertfon  of  Edinburgh,  in  a  fer- 
mon  before  the  fociety  for  propagating  Chriltian  know- 
ledge, has  made  an  obfervation  to  this  purpofe,  '*  that  to 
"  the  honor  of  modern  times,  and  (as  he  thinks)  particu- 
"  larly  to  the  honor  of  ChrilVianity  itfelf,  there  is  much 
*'  more  genllenefs  and  humanity  in  the  manner  of  car- 
*'  rying  on  war  than  formerly."  If  we  look  into  ancient 
hiftory  we  (hall  fee  fuch  inftances  of  ferocity  and  cruelty 
in  many  cafes,  as  are  too  fliocking  to  be  related.  There 
is  no  hdi^  however,  in  the  records  of  antiquity  on  this  fub- 
jedl,  that  ever  (Iruck  me  lb  much  as  the  account  given  of 
Sefoflris,  becaufe  it  fiiews,  not  the  barbarity  of  a  particu- 
lar monfter,  but  the  fpirit  of  the  times.  He  is  extolled  by 
many  ancient  authors  for  his  clemency,  becaufe  he  did 
not  put  to  death  the  princes  whom  he  unjullly  attacked 
and  conquered.  Yet  he  ordered  them  to  wait  upon  him, 
with  a  yearly  tribute,  and  on  thefe  occafions  ufcd  to  yoke 
them  in  his  charriot,  and  make  them  draw  him,  in  place 
of  horfes,  to  the  temple.  How  much  worfe  than  death 
would  this  appear  at  prefent  to  a  captive  prince  I 


43^  T^^  Druid. 

But  however  juRly  pr^ire  may  be  due  to  modern  times 
for  comparative  humanity,  what  we  have  faid  above  is  on- 
ly general  and  undefined.  Let  us  feek  for  the  true  prin- 
ciple that  ought  to  govern  the  condudl  of  refined  and  en- 
lightened nations.  Thi$,  iflmiftake  not,  is.  That  all  acts 
of  cruelty  nvhich  hwue  no  tendency  to  voeahcn  the  resisting 
force^  are  contrary  to  reason  and  religion^  and  therefore 
to  the  hni)  of  nature  and  nations.  The  end  of  war  is  to 
obtain  jullice,  and  reftore  peace,  therefore  whatever  tends 
to  lefTen  or  deflroy  the  force  of  the  enemy,  muft  be  per- 
mitted. It  is  in  this  view  alone  that  the  capture  of  private 
property  is  allowed  and  judified.  But  to  take  lives  with- 
out neceflity,  and  even  to  treat  prifoners  with  oppreflion 
or  infult,  above  all  to  diftrefs  or  torture  the  weaker  fex,  or 
the  helplefs  infant,  ought  to  be  deteftcd  by  every  nation 
profeffing  the  gofpel. 

The  principle  which  I  have  laid  down,  may  be  applied 
Vniverfally,  and  will  ferve  to  point  out  when  any  meafure 
is  to  be  juflified  or  condemned,  between  perfons  profeffing 
open  hoftility  againft  each  other.  I  will  take  the  liberty 
to  apply  it  to  fome  things  that  have  been  done  or  at- 
tempted in  the  prefent  war,  carried  on  by  Great-Britain 
againft  America,  It  is  now  undeniable  that  endeavors 
have  been  ufed  to  bring  the  Indian  tribes  upon  the  back 
fettlements.  This  I  call  an  adt  of  extreme  and  unjuftifi- 
able  barbarity,  becaufe  their  manner  of  makinpj  war  is  well 
known.  They  are  neither  formidable  for  their  number 
nor  their  (Irength,  but  for  making  inroads  Upon  the  dwell- 
ings of  their  enemies,  and  putting  to  death  women  and  chil- 
dren, with  circumftances  of  horrid  cruelty.  This  is  lo  far 
from  weakening  the  force  of  the  people  againfl  whom  it 
is  pradlifed,  that  it  tends  to  infpire  them  with  a  revenge 
and  fury  not  to  be  refifled.  The  wtll  known  hillory  of  the 
late  war,  will  both  explain  and  fupport  what  T  have  faid. 
The  cruelty  of  the  Indians  produced  fuch  a  fpirit  in  the 
hack  fettlers,  which  not  only  repelLd  their  attacks,  but  in 
fome  inftances  retaliated  thtir  iiijurits,  in  a  manner  that  I 
will  not  take  upon»me  either  to  defend  orexcufe.  There- 
fore, when  we  blame  the  Britilh  miniftry  for  ftirring  up 
the  Indians  againft  usj  we  do  not  blame  them  for  afking 


The  Druid,  437 

alTillance  from  other  nations,  which  is  common  in  all 
wars,  when  any  party  apprehends  itfelf  weak,  but  for  a 
method  of  attack,  the  cruelty  of  which  bears  no  propor- 
tion to  any  advantage  that  can  be  derived  from  it. 

The  fame  thing  I  fay  of  proclaiming  liberty  to  flaves, 
and  ftirring  them  up  to  rebel  againll  their  mafters.  There 
is,  however,  fome  little  differtnce  in  the  application  of 
the  principle  to  this  and  the  preceding  inllance.  It  is 
probable  that  the  people  in  Great-Britain  reckoned  upon 
a  degree  of  advantage  from  this  meafure,  vaftly  fuperior 
not  only  to  what  it  produced  in  eflecl,  but  to  what  they 
themfelves  expe(fled  from  the  incurfions  of  the  Indians. 
I  gather  this  from  an  expreflion  in  a  treatife  publifhed  in 
England  on  the  American  controverfy,  to  this  purpofe, 
that  *  if  England  declare  freedom  to  the  flaves,  they  (the 
Ameficans)  have  not  fix  weeks  to  be  a  people.'  Thefe 
apprehenfions  may  be  thought  to  juflify  them  in  the  at- 
tempt, as  they  muft  have  taken  it  to  be  fo  fpeedy  and  ef- 
fectual a  means  of  producing  abfolute  fubmiiTion.  But 
I  muft  obferve,  in  addition  to  what  I  have  laid  above,  that 
there  are  fome  things  fo  bafe  and  treacherous  in  their  na- 
ture, and  fo  pernicious  in  the  example  to  human  fociety 
in  general,  that  whatever  effedlthey  might  be  fuppofed  to 
have  in  a  particular  cafe,  all  men  of  liberal  minds  have 
concurred  in  rejedling  them.  For  example,  though  it  is 
generally  agreed  that  aiming  particularly  at  the  lile  of  a 
leader  in  battle,  is  not  only  lawful  but  prudent,  as  it  is  of 
more  confequence  than  fifty  others,  yet  to  fuborn  his  fer- 
vants  to  aflalfinate  him  privately,  though  it  might  have  the 
fame  effcdt  upon  the  military  operations,  is  univerfally 
condemned.  An  inftance  in  hiftory  occurs  to  me,  in 
which  a  meafure,  though  likely  to  have  a  great  influence 
in  weakening  the  enemy,  yet,  for  its  extreme  cruelty, 
deferves  to  be  fpoken  of  with  horror.  It  was  that  of  king 
James  ViPs  general  at  the  fiege  of  Londonderry,  1689, 
who,  when  the  garrifon  was  reduced  to  extremity  for  want 
of  provifions,  drove  all  the  proteftants  within  thirty  miles, 
chiefly  old  men,  women  and  infants,  under  the  walls  of 
the  city,  to  be  either  taken  in,  or  fuffered  to  perifli  with 
hunger  under  the  eyes  of  their  friends.     Had  this  meafure 


433  ^he  Druid, 

been  fuccersful,  it  would  have  been,  notwithdanding, 
condemned  as  unjuft ;  but  I  am  happy  in  being  able  to 
obferve,  that  a6ts  of  extreme  cruelty  do  very  feldom  pro- 
duce the  effecls  intended  by  them.  When  a  certain  point 
is  exceeded,  fear  itfelf  is  converted  into  rage,  and  pro- 
duces the  unexpe6led  and  incredible  efforts  of  defpair. 

The  principle  1  have  above  laid  down,  will  alfo  enable 
us  to  judge  what  opinion  we  fliould  form  of  atls  of  vio- 
lence and  depredation.  When  an  army  can  avail  itfelf 
of  the  goods  and  property  of  the  members  of  a  hoilile 
Hate,  or  probably  reduce  them  to  the  neceflity  of  making 
peace,  not  only  the  feizure  but  the  reduction  of-both  may 
be  jullified,  upon  the  principles  ofreafon.  But  when  men 
can  only  dellroy  and  not  poflefs,  and  that  deflrudion  can 
only  fall  upon  an  inconfiderable  number  of  helplefs  peo- 
ple, it  is  at  once  inconfiftent  with  greatnefs  of  mind,  and 
for  the  mofl  part  againfl  the  intereft  of  the  deflroyer.  It 
operates  as  an  inflammatory  principle,  and  calls  up  every 
man,  from  the  flrongeit  to  the  feeblefl,  to  affill  in  repel- 
ling or  punifliing  the  favage  invader.  For  this  reafon  I 
give  it  as  my  opinion,  tbat  burning  and  dellroying  houfes, 
where  there  is  no  fortrefs,  as  has  been  in  fome  inftances 
done,  deferves  all  the  epithets  of  barbarous,  favage  and 
inhuman,  that  have  been  bellowed  upon  it,  either  by  thofe 
who  have  fufFered,  or  thofe  who  have  felt  in  their  behalf. 

A  few  more  refle£lions  fliould  have  been  added,  upon 
wars  diiferently  circumllanced,  and  particularly  upon  ci- 
vil wars  ;  but  they  mull  be  referred  to  the  next,  or  fome 
future  paper. 


NUMBER    III. 


S  I  R, 


MY  lafl  paper  was  employed  in  examining  what  is 
the  radical  principle,  according  to  the  law  of  na- 
ture and  nations,  for  determining  the  just  and  /aivfid 
?neans  of  carrying  on  war.  Having  left  the  fubjedl  un- 
finifhed,  I  will  now  add  what  fcems  further  neceliary  up- 
on it.  The  chief  and  moll  remarkable  diilindion  of  wars, 
to  be  found  in  civilians,  is  into  what  they  czW  foreign  and 
civil  W2iYS.  By  the  firft  are  to  be  underRood,  v.'ars  be- 
tween nations  confcffed  on  both  fides  to  be  feparate  and 
independent.  By  the  fecond,  wars  between  different 
parts  of  the  fame  Hate.  The  firft  are  fuppofed  to  arife 
from  fome  occafional  injury  or  partial  encroachment,  and 
to  have  for  their  end  the  reparation  of  the  wrong,  and  the 
refloration  of  fecurity  and  peace.  The  fecond,  in  which 
one  part  of  the  fubjedts  of  a  (late  rifes  againd  another,  are 
much  more  various,  both  in  their  caufes  and  ends,  al- 
though the  rulers  of  every  flate  generally  affedt  to  confi- 
der  them  all  as  of  the  fame  nature,  and  belonging  to  tb.e 
fame  clafs.  Tlie  light  in  which  they  vvifli  them  to  be 
viewed  is,  as  an  infurredion  of  diforderly  citizens  againft 
law  and  order  in  general,  and  therefore  as  including  the 
greateft  crime  that  can  be  conmiitted  againfl  fociety,  and 
deferving  the  fevereft  punifliment.  This  is  the  true  and 
proper  import  of  the  laws  againll  treafon  in  any  country, 
and  if  the  obje6l  on  which  they  take  liokl  is  really  fuch  as 
they  defcribe,  no  fault  can  be  found  with  their  feverity. 
He  who  breaks  the  public  peace,  and  attempts  to  fubvert 
the  order  -of  the  fociety  of  which  he  is  a  member,  is  guil- 
ty of  the  greatefl  crime  againll  every  other  member,  by 
robbing  him  of  a  bkiTing  of  the  greatell  value  in  itfelf,  as 
well  as  effentially  necelTary  to  the  poUlilio'n  of  every 
other. 

For  this  reafon  it  is  that  in  civil  wars  one  party  takes 
upon  itfelf  to  be  en  the  fide  of  order  and  good  govern- 
ment, and  confiders  every  perfon  of  the  oppofing  band, 


«j:4«  The  Druid, 

not  as  a  citizen  contending  for  the  fuppofed  rights  of  his 
own  ftate,  but  aS  a  felon,  and  a  criminal  breaking  the 
law  of  God  and  man,  and  if  fubdued  and  taken,  deftined 
to  public,  ignominious,  kgal  punifliment.  But  let  us 
confider  a  little  the  caufes  and  circumftances  of  civil 
wars,  as  they  have  appeared  in  hiftory.  Some  have 
doubilefs  been  -of  the  kind  above  defcribed,  and  which 
the  law  in  general  prefumes  ;  but  if  they  have  been  nu^ 
merous,  they  have  hardly  ever  been  formidable.  Infur- 
retVions  of  profligate  or  even  millaken  citizens  have  ge^ 
nerally  been  local,  and  occafioned  by  fome  circumftances 
that  do  not  efFedl  the  whole  body  of  an  empire,  and  there- 
fore have  been  eafily  fupprefled.  Many  of  the  civil  wars 
which  have  torn  and  diftraded  great  empires,  have  arifen 
from  the  ambition  and  turbulence  of  particular  men,  con- 
tending for  pov/er  and  influence  in  the  adminiftration  ot 
government.  Such  were  the  wars  of  Sylla  and  Marius, 
C^far  and  Pompey,  in  the  Roman  republic  ;  in  which^ 
though  the  partifans  on  both  fides  were  certainly  crimi- 
nal, yet  at,  the  fame  time,  they  were  equally  [o.  We 
may  place  in  the  fame  rank,  the  civil  wars  in  England 
and  France,  which  were  fo  long  in  the  one  country,  and 
fo  bloody  in  both,  about  thie  fuccefllon  to  the  crown,  In 
thefe  wars,  the  principle  on  which  they  were  waged,  was 
fundamentally  wrong,  viz.  that  there  was  a  claim  of  right 
in  one  family  or  perfon,  w^hich  entitled  them  to  authori- 
ty di(lin6t  from  common  confent,  or  the  general  good. 
But  this  principle  was  the  fame  to  both  parties  ;  many 
perfons  of  equal  honor  and  truth  embraced  the  oppofite 
lides  of  the  queftion  ;  and  we  can  perceive  no  difference 
at  all  between  them,  in  point  of  merit  or  demerit  towards 
the  fociety.  If  one  contends  for  the  uncle,  and  the  other 
for  the  nephew,  to  be  king,  or  the  pofterity  of  each  many 
generations  dillant,  and  a  bloody  war  muft  decide  the 
quellion,  little  other  reflexion  can  occur  to  a  coafiderate 
man,  than  to  pity  the  weaknefs  of  human  nature. 

There  remains  another  clafs  of  civil  wars,  in  which  a 
part  or  the  great  body  of  a  monarchy  or  repi^blic  refifl; 
the  authority  of  their  rulers,  on  pretence  that  they  are 
fuffering  under  oppreflion.     They  do  this  fometimes  with 


The  Druid,  44t 

a  view  to  redrefs  their  grievances  and  fometimes  to  fub- 
Vert  their  government  altogether  as  infupportablc,  and 
re-fettle  it  upon  a  new  foundation.  It  alfo  frequently 
happens  that  they  begin  with  the  firll  of  tliefc,  and  in  the 
courfe  of  the  quarrel  find  or  think  it  neceilary  to  end  with 
the  laft.  There  are  many  wars  of  this  kind  upon  record, 
^Lomt  of  which  have  been  fuccefsful,  and  others  not.  If 
tliey  have  been  fucccfsful,  hiflory  dignifies  them  with  the 
name  of  Revolution  j  and  if  otherwife,  they  mulf  bear 
ihat  of  rebellion.  Their  fuccefs,  however,  is  no  certain 
criterion  of  their  juftice.  The  civil  war  in  England  of 
the  laft  century,  which  bears  the  name  of  the  grand  re- 
bellion, and  the  late  vigorous  contell  of  the  Corficuns 
againll  the  republic  of  Genoa,  though  they  were  fold  into 
flavery,  were  as  honorable  in  the  principles,  as  the  fuccefs- 
ful  refidance  of  the  Seven  United  Provinces  to  the  king; 
of  Spain,  or  the  efforts  of  the  Englifh  nation  at  that  period 
which  we  have  now  agreed  to  call  the  glorious  rez'oiution. 

Let  us  apply  thefe  remarks  to  the  fubjeilil  of  our  prefenc 
enquiry,  the  m.eans  and  manner  of  carrying  on  war. 
in  fadt,  it  has  always  been  found  that  civil  wars  have 
been  carried  on  with  a  rage  and  animofity  much  greater 
than  thofe  of  independant  nations.  A6ts  of  cruelty  have 
been  much  more  frequent  while  they  lafled  ;  and  after 
peace  has  taken  place,  the  alienation  of  mind  and  inward 
refentment  has  been  much  greater  and  of  longer  continu- 
ance. The  barbarity  of  the  Syllan  and  Marian  factions 
to  each  other  in  Rome,  as  well  as  the  profcription  of  the 
two  fubfcqaent  criumvirates  of  that  ftate,  were  fo  horrible 
that  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  human  nature  could  be 
brought  to  fuch  an  unfeeling  and  hardened  temper,  as 
to  give  or  execute  the  bloody  orders.  As  foon  as  a  war 
between  independent  nations  ceafes,  the  wound  is  per- 
feaiy  healed,  and  particular  perfons  of  thefe  nations  do 
not  retain  the  iealt  degree  of  refentment  againll  each 
other.  It  is  quite  otherwife  in  civil  wars.  They  often 
give  a  name  and  chara*^er  to  the  diflerent  fafcions,  which 
is  not  obliterated  for  many  generations.  Whig  and  Tory 
are  names  by  Vv^hich  perlbns  and  families  are  flill  dillin- 
guifhed  in  England,  although  they  are  both  of  great  antl- 

Vol.  IV,  3  >"- 


442  ^he  Druid, 

quity,  and  the  firft  of  them  more  than  a  hundred  years 
old. 

Whenever  any  efFe£l  is  general  and  conflant,  there  mud 
be  feme  fuitable  and  permanent  caufe  or  caufes  for  it.  It 
may  not  therefore  be  amifs,  either  in  a  philofophical  or  a 
moral  view,  to  examine  the  caufes  of  this  phenomenon  in 
political  life.  One  caufe  may  be  affigned  for  it  which  is 
very  general,  but  which  will  perfedlly  apply  to  this,  as  well 
as  to  every  other  kind  of  ftrife.  The  greater  the  injury 
that  is  done,  and  the  ftronger  the  obligations  to  friendfhip 
that  are  broken  through,  the  deeper  the  refentment  that  is 
felt  by  a  fenfible  mind.  Now,  it  is  certain  that  to  diflurb 
the  internal  peace  of  a  (late  by  a  civil  war,  is  a  much 
more  dreadful  evil,  and  touches  the  people  more  univer- 
fally,  than  war  with  a  foreign  kingdom.  Befides,  injuries 
done,  or  fuppofed  to  be  done,  by  thofe  with  whom  we  are 
nearly  connected,  and  from  whom  we  expeded  every  act 
of  friendfhip,  wound  more  deeply  than  thofe  done  by 
Grangers  or  perfons  unknown.  This  is  fo  generally  true, 
that  differences  between  near  relations,  if  they  come  to  a 
certain  height,  and  are  publicly  known,  are  fcarcely  ever 
thoroughly  reconciled.  They  may  be  apparently  or  im- 
perfedtly  taken  away,  the  fore  may  be  Ikinned  over,  but 
it  fliil  rankles  at  bottom,  and  upon  the  flighteft  touch  is 
ready  to  break  out  anew. 

Another  caufe  which  may  be  affigned  for  the  barbarity 
exercifed  in  civil  wars,  is  the  hateful  or  contemptible  idea 
which  the  one  fide,  at  leall,  often  entertains  of  the  other. 
It  is  a  fine  obfervation  of  a  moral  writer  of  the  lall  age, 
"  If  you  want  to  be  wholly  free  from  the  guilt  of  injury, 
oppreffion  or  flander,  you  mufi:  take  care  what  you  think 
of  others,  for  it  is  certain  that  your  treatment  of  them  will 
be  according  to  the  opinion  you  have  formed  of  their  cha- 
radler  and  merit."  This  remark  is  perfedly  jufl :  for  if 
once  a  man  allow  himfelf  to  hate  another  heartily,  there  is 
no  anfwering  for  what  he  will  do  to  him,  nor  is  the  natu- 
ral humanity  of  his  difpofition  the  leaft  fecurity  againll  his 
going  to  exrefs.  Perfons  of  the  gentlen:  nature  and  the 
fofteil  fex,  when  completely  enraged,  have  been  guilty  of 
the  moll  horrid  cruelty.     This  is  commonly  accounted 


The  Druid.  44^ 

for  by  the  mixture  of  fear  and  hatred.  Bat  if  another  in- 
gredient is  added  to  the  compofition,  it  will  be  yet  more 
powerful;  I  mean  contempt.  Some  may  think  that  fear 
and  contempt  are  inconfident,  but  this  is  a  miflake.  You 
cannot  fear  the  llrength  of  an  enemy  and  defpife  it,  at  the 
feme  time  ;  but  you  may  eafily  fear  his  Rrength  and  ma- 
lice, and  defpife  his  charadler.  If  therefore  you  join  all 
thefe  together,  fear,  hatred  and  contempt,  towards  an  ene- 
my, it  will  not  be  wonderful  if  the  treatment  he  receives 
is  unmerciful  or  unjuft.  This  is  often  the  cafe  in  civil 
wars.  Thofe  who  are  on  the  fide  of  government  are  apt 
to  form  the  moll  unjr.(l,  as  well  as  defpicable  ideas,  of  their 
opponents,  and  never  to  fpeak  of  them  but  in  the  moll  op- 
probrious terms.  By  this  they  are  naturally  led  to  be- 
have towards  them  with  inhumanity,  and  fometimes  in 
their  correfpondence  they  will  fcarce  confider  themfelves 
as  upon  an  equality,  or  be  bound  by  the  laws  of  fmcerity 
and  truth. 

I  could  illullrate  the  influence  of  charadler,  and  the  opi- 
nion we  entertain  of  others,  on  our  condu6l  toward  them, 
by  many  inltances  in  hiftory.  It  is  the  true  and  genuine 
fource  of  the  Roman  Catholics  not  keeping  faith  with  he- 
retics. This  their  enemies  charge  them  with  as  an  avow- 
ed principle  ;  which  they  deny.  But  that  they  have  adled 
agreeably  to  it  is  fadl.  The  example  of  John  Hufs  of  Bohe- 
mia, and  feveral  others,  put  it  beyond  all  quellion.  It  is 
alfo  the  true  caufe  of  the  cruelty  of  the  inquifition,  com- 
monly called  the  bloody  Tribunal.  Nothing  is  more 
common  than  to  confider  the  minillers  of  this  court  as 
monfters  diveRed  of  every  feeling  of  humanity,  and  fo  to 
lay  three  fourths  of  the  blame  upon  the  perfonal  character, 
whereas  in  truth,  it  ought  to  be  wholly  imputed  to  the 
power  of  bigotry  and  falfe  zeal.  When  once  a  perfon  is 
believed  to  be  an  enemy  to  God,  and  meriting  his  ulmod 
vengeance,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  men  fliould  co-operate 
with  him,  and  inflict  that  little  part  of  it  that  is  in  their 
power.  It  is  not  fo  properly  luiTering  in  itfelf,  as  the  inno- 
cence of  the  fuflferer,  or  die  difproportion  of  the  lufll-ring 
to  the  crime,  that  excites  our  compalTion.  When  crimes 
are  very  atrociouSj  we  fometimes  feel,  and  in  fome  degree 


444  ^he  Druid. 

regret,  the  weaknefs  of  buma«  vengeance,  which  cannot 
poflibly  give  them  their  due.  I  can  recolledl  feveral  in. 
fiances  of  criminals,  on  whofe  condemnation,  not  one  but 
many  would  fay,  "  hedeferves,  if  it  were  polTible,  a  thou- 
fand  deaths. 

But  now  let  me  draw  this  diflertation  to  a  conclufion, 
or  as  divines  would  fay,  to  the  application.  It  is  eafy  to 
fee,  from  the  above  principles,  what  are  the  dilates  of 
truth  and  juftice  a$  to  the  manner  of  carrying  on  civil  wars. 
There  is  but  one  clafs  of  them  in  which  the  behavior 
ihould  be  different  from  the  pradice  that  prevails  in  wars 
with  independent  dates ;  I  mean  when  tumultuous  and 
diforderly  citizen?  attempt  to  fubvert  law  and  order  alto- 
gether. But  when  the  grounds  qf  the  quarrel  are  plaufible 
on  both  fides,  and  when  it  is  demonftrable  that  perfons  of 
the  ftriflefl:  honor  and  integrity  may  be  found  adhering  to 
the  oppofite  parties,  they  are  bound  by  every  tie  to  can- 
dor in  judgment,  and  to  humanity  and  mercy  in  their  con- 
duct towards  each  other.  Happily  we  often  fee  the  parties 
in  fuch  wars  compelled  to  humanity  through  felf-intereft, 
and  retrained  by  fear  of  one  of  the  jufleft  of  all  laws,  that 
of  retaliation.  I  could  willi,  however,  that  a  fenfe  of  du- 
ty ftiould  be  ac^ded  to  this  obligati'on  ;  for  neither  neceffity, 
nor  even  inclination,  is  foflable  and  powerful  a  principle 
pf  aftion,  as  reafon  and  truth  imprefled  on  the  confcience. 
Neceffity  does  not  always  feem  equally  ftrong,  and  the  im- 
pulfe  of  natural  afte6lion  is  tranfient  and  changeable  ;  but 
that  which  we  confider  as  efiential  to  our  duty,  v/e  fliall 
adhere  to  without  the  afliftance  of  either,  and  ought  to  do 
it  even  in  oppofition  to  both, 

I  do  truly  think  myfelf,  in  my  prefent  retirement  (beg- 
ging the  reader's  pardon)  not  ill  qualified,  in  point  of  im- 
partiality, for  handling  this  fubject,  and  applying  it  to  the 
prefent  conteft  betv/een  Great-Britain  and  America.  T  am 
pall  the  age  of  bearing  arms,  and  whatever  I  have  done 
before,  fhall  probably  never  again  wield  any  other  weapons, 
than  thofe  improperly  fo  called,  the  tongue  and  the  pen. 
I  do  clearly  fee  the  perfect  julVice  and  great  importance  of 
the  claim  on  the  one  hand,  and  eafily  conceive  the  power 
of  prejudice  on  the  other.     On  the  part  of  America,  ther« 


The  Druid.  445 

was  not  the  moR  dlRant  thought  of  fubverting  the  govern- 
ment, or  hurting  the  intereft  of  the  people  of  Great-Bri- 
tain, but  of  defending  their  own  privileges  from  unjuft 
encroachment ;  there  was  not  the  leall  delire  of  with- 
drawing  their  allegiance  from  the  common  fovercign,  till 
it  became  abfolutely  neceflary,  and  indeed  was  his  own 
choice  :  On  the  other  hand,  I  can  eaiily  conceive  that 
thofe  who  have  been  long  accuflomed  to  fubjedlion,  and 
from  whom  it  is  really  due,  fhould  not  fuddenly  enter  into 
the  reafons  of  exempting  a  people,  otherwife  lituated,  from 
the  fame  burden.  They  are  therefore  of  courfe  eafjiy  de- 
ceived by  falfe  orimperfedt  accounts  of  a  diftant  country, 
and  infenfibly  biaiTed  by  the  phrafeology  conOanily  ufed, 
particularly  the  terms  rebels  and  rebellion.  Upon  the 
whole,  as  I  am  now  to  difmifs  this  fubjed^,  and  profccute 
the  plan  laid  down  in  my  firfl  number,  I  fhall  conclude 
with  faying,  That  humanity  is  the  nobleft  attendant  on 
true  valor  ;  and  that  he  will  probably  fight  moll  bravely, 
who  never  fights  till  it  is  necelTary,  and  ceafes  to  fight  as 
foon  as  the  neceffity  is  over. 


44^  The  Druici 

J^  U  M  B  E  R    IV, 

S  I  R, 

ONE  of  the  greatefl  difficulties  that  occurs  to  writers 
of  rnifcellaneous  effays,  and  which  has  been  often 
complained  of,  is  the  fixing  upon  proper  fubjedls.  We 
are  confined,  as  a  certain  writer  obferves,  to  *  human 
nature  and  life,'  and  yet  thefe  have  been  fo  completely 
ranfacked,  and  almoft  every  charader  and  occurrence  has 
been  placed  in  fuch  a  variety  of  lights,  that  it  is  hardly 
poflible  to  find  a  corner  that  is  wholly  untouched.  At 
the  fame  time,  as  to  the  manner  of  writing,  the  reader 
generally  exped\s  two  things  that  feem  to  be  incompati- 
ble and  mutually  dedrudlive  of  each  other.  The  one  is, 
that  it  be  (Iriking  and  original ;  and  the  other,  that  it  be 
fun  pie,  natural  and  obvious.  If  we  fay  what  any  body 
ini^rht  fay,  then  it  is  a  trite,  beaten,  common-place,  hack- 
neyed topic  ;  and  if  we  fay  what  would  not  readily  occur 
to  others,  then  it  is  a  forced,  unnatural,  out  of  the  ivay 
manner  of  thinking  and  writing,  than  w^hich  there  cannot 
be  a  greater  difparagement  of  either  writer  or  fpeaker,  nor 
any  that  will  more  fpeedily  or  effedually  prevent  his  fuc- 
^efs.  But  notwithftanding  this  apparent  hardfliip,  there 
is  a  real  juftice  in  the  expectation  of  tlie  public  in  both  re- 
fpe£ls,  when  rightly  underflood.  A  writer's  fentiments 
■  hould  be  properly  his  own,  and  yet  they  fhould  not  be 
too  much  repugnant  to  other  people's.  And  as  one  man's 
face  is  eafily  didinguifhed  from  that  of  every  other,  though 
the  general  features  are  the  fame  in  all,  he  may  preferve 
his  genuine  character  without  going  far  out  of  the  %vay^  or 
aiming  at  any  thing  odd  or  particular  for  this  purpofe. 
I  know  not  how  it  is  with  others,  but  for  my  own  part,  I 
would  rather  write  on  a  fubje6l  that  has  been  often  han- 
dled, or  a  chara6ler  that  has  been  often  defcribed,  than 
one  of  a  contrary  kind ;  becaufe,  in  fuch  cafes,  I  can  form 
my  own  fentiments  with  greater  precifion,  and  exprefs 
them  with  greater  perfpicuity  and  force. 


The  Druid.  447 

The  reader  may  confider  the  above  as  an  introduclion, 
preface,  or,  if  he  pleafes,  apoIoji;y  for  the  following  dilfer- 
tation,  which  Ihall  have  for  its  lubje6l  a  certain  human 
charadier  or  quality,  generally  called  plain  common  sense. 
I  muft,  in  the  firfl  place,  fettle  the  meaning  of  the  exprcf- 
fion.  There  are  in  every  language,  certain  fine  or  nice 
diftinclions  in  the  life  both  of  phrafes  and  fingle  terms, 
which,  though  introduced  and  finally  fettled  by  general 
pradice,  are  not  always  attended  to  or  fully  undcrHood. 
In  the  cafe  before  us,  I  think,  the  term  is  ufed  very  dif- 
ferently in  the  negative,  from  what  it  is  in  the  poHtive 
form.  When  we  fay  of  a  man,  that  he  ivants  couimcn 
sense^  we  mean  that  he  is  a  very  great  fool,  and  fome- 
times  that  he  is  the  next  Uiing  to  a  changeling  or  ideot. 
But  v/hen,  in  the  pofitive  form,  we  fay  of  a  man,  that  he 
is  a  man  of  plain  common  sense,  we  give  him  a  good  cha- 
racter, and  are  underftood  by  it  as  afHrming  that  there 
are  not  many  fuperior  or  equal  to  him  in  that  particular, 
as  alfo  that  he  poficITcs  a  quality  of  no  inconfiderable  va- 
lue. It  is  plain,  that  in  thcfe  two  ways  of  fpeaking,  the 
term  common  fenfe  Rands  for  different  things.  In  the 
firfl:  of  thera  it  fignifics,  that  fenfe  that  is  really  common 
to  all  men,  or  at  lead  nearly  univerfal  :  in  the  I'eccnd  it 
fignifies  either  fomething  totally  different,  or  at  leall  a  de- 
gree  of  that  fenfe  which  is  not  pofiefied  by  the  plur^ilit)^ 
but  perhaps  is  called  common,  becaufe  it  may  be  found 
in  fome  perfons  of  every  rank. 

Let  me  now  er.quire  a  little  into  the  characters  of  com- 
mon fenfe.  It  is  ihe  gift  of  nature,  and  may  he  clearly 
'didinguifiied  from  what  is  acquired  by  fludy  or  applica- 
tion.  In  the  Thoughts  on  various  Subjedls,  by  Swift  and 
Pope,  we  have  one  to  this  purpofe,  that  *  firws  fenfe  is  no: 
half  fo  ufeful  as  common  fenfe,  for  he  that  has  the  one 
without  the  other,  is  like  one  that  carries  nothing  about 
him  but  gold  coin,  who  mult  be  often  at  a  lofs  for  wane 
of  change.'  In  another  of  thefe  thoughts  we  are  informed, 
'  that  to  attempt  to  move  the  multitude  with  fine  ftfnle,  is 
like  attempting  to  hew  a  block  with  a  razor.'  With  all 
refped  to  thefe  great  men,  I  mud  fay,  that  though  there 
h  fomething  fmart  and  lively  in  the  above  recited  i^nti> 


'44^  Tloe  Druidk 

ments,  yet  they  are  more  brilliant  than  juft ;  they  feertt 
to  fuppofe,  that  refinement  is  a  thing  of  the  fame  kind 
with  common  fenfe,  and  only  higher  in  degree,  and  yet 
at  the  fame  time  that  a  man  may  poflefs  genuine  refine- 
ment and  be  without  common  fenfe,  neither  of  which,  in 
my  opinion,  is  true,  at  leaft  in  fuch  a  fenfe  as  to  make 
their  fimilitudes  juft,  or  their  reafoning  conclufive.  Re- 
finement  is  as  different  from  common  fenfe  as  the  culture 
is  from  the  foil,  or  the  climate  from  either ;  but  as  their 
joint  influence  is  neccflary  to  the  production  of  the  crop,  {o 
fine  fenfe,  without  common  fenfe  as  its  ground-work  and 
foundation,  very  ill  deferves  the  name*  If  1  faw  a  nian 
attempting  to  hew  a  block  with  a  razor,  or  heard  him 
fpeaking  in  metaphyfical,  abfiraft,  unintelligible  terms,  to 
a  n^.ultitude  of  common  people,  I  Ihould  heartily  agree 
that  he  wanted  common  fenfe  ;  but  that  he  pofTefled  fine 
fenfe,  I  fhould  not  be  eafily  brought  to  confefs. 

The  ufe  of  fcientific  terms  and  fentiments,  brought 
from  what  is  known  only  to  fcholars  and  improperly  in- 
troduced, has  been  long  treated  with  the  contempt  it  de-* 
ferves  ;  but  it  is  confidered  as  belonging  only  to  the  learn- 
ed profeflions.  I  was  well  acquainted  with  a  divine  many 
years  ago,  who  began  a  prayer  in  his  congregation  with 
thefe  words,  '  O  Lord,  thou  art  the  fimplefl.  of  all  beings,' 
which  incenfed  his  hearers  againfi  him  to  fuch  a  degree, 
that  they  accufed  him  of  having  fpoken  blafphemy  ;  where-* 
as  the  poor  man  only  meant  to  fay,  that  God  was  philofo^ 
phically  fimple  and  uncom pounded,  altogether  diflerent 
from  the  groffnefs,  divifibility,  or,  as  it  is  fometimes  more 
learnedly  called,  the  difcerptibility  of  matter.  I  was  alfo 
acquainted  with  a  phyfician,  who,  fitting  with  a  lady  in 
her  own  houfe,  and  being  alked  by  her,  '  Do6lor,  are  ar- 
tichokes good  for  children  ?'  anfwered,  '  Madam,  they 
are  the  leaft  flatulent  of  all  the  efculent  tribe,'  indeed,  doc» 
tor,  fays  the  lady,  I  do  not  underfiand  a  word  of  what  you 
have  faid.  Now,  I  think,  i^t^  would  have  much  admi- 
red either  the  fine  or  common  fenfe  of  thefe  gentlemen^ 
though  certainly  the  divine  would  have  been  confidered  as 
the  greater  fool  of  the  two,  for  phyficians,  as  a  body,  havQ. 
alTerted  and  maintained  their  right  to  the  ul'e  of  hard 


The  Druid, 


449 


})!irares  beyond  any  other  clafs  of  fcholars.  But  there  is 
a  certain  Ipecies  of  this  fault,  which,  I  think,  has  not  beea 
much  taken  notice  of ;  and  that  is,  when  men,  either  of 
high  Ration  or  real  fenfe  and  literature,  are  filled  with 
felf-fufficiency,  and  cannot  think  of  delcending  to  the 
level  of  thofe  with  whom  they  convcrfe,  eitlier  in  fenti- 
inents  or  phrafcology.  I  fufne6'\  there  were  a  few  grains 
olthis  failing  in  the  illuftrious  perfons  not  long  ago  men- 
tioned ;  and  that  their  fentiments,  above  related,  are 
an  evidence  of  it.  In  this  inllance,  their  fine  fenfe  v/as 
an  over  match  for  their  common  fenfe,  and  this  was  an 
evident  proof  of  the  imperfection  of  both. 

If  then  fine  fenfe  does  not  difTer  eflentially  from  com- 
nioa  fenfe,  and  the  firft  is  nothing  more  than  a  certain 
brightnefs  or  polifli  given  to  the  lafi,  it  would  feem  as  if 
by  common  fenfe  we  ought  to  underfiand  the  rational 
powers  in  general,  and  the  cj/^jc/ry  of  improvement.  But 
here  we  meet  with  a  difiiculty  which  feems  to  need  a  re- 
folution.  If  common  fenfe  is  nothing  elfe  but  the  llrength 
of  the  intelleftual  powers  taken  complexly,  then  niuft  it 
be  in  every  perfon  in  proportion  to  thofe  powers;  and 
faience,  if  it  does  not  improve,  certainly  cannot  diminifli 
it.  Yet  there  is  no  branch  of  fcience  whatever  but  we 
find  fome  perfons  capable  of  learning  it,  and  frequently 
t.^ven  of  ftiining  in  it,  who  are  notwithllanding  very  de- 
fcdVive  in  common  fenfe,  and  after  their  learned  acquifi- 
titjns,  the  defedt  is  either  greater  in  itfelf,  or  at  Icafl  more 
vifible  than  before.  Vv'e  find  many  who  learn  the  dead 
languages  to  great  perfe(5\ion,  who  learn  arithmetic,  geo- 
metry, natural  philofophy,  rhetoric,  politics,  who  even 
become  eminent  in  fome  of  them,  and  tolerably  flcilled  in 
all,  whom  yet  we  reckon  greatly  inferior  to  more  igno- 
rant perfons,  in  clear,  found,  common  fenfe. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  thought  that  thefe  ignorant  perfons 
only  wanted  the  opportunity  of  improvement,  and  would 
have  excelled  the  others  alfo  in  literature  had  they  applied 
to  it.  This  I  do  not  find  to  be  the  cafe,  from  the  inllan- 
ces  in  which  a  trial  has  been  made.  Doubtlefs  there 
are  fome  examples  of  perfons  eminently  pollefied  of  judg- 
ment or  common  fenfe,  as  well  as  capable  of  acquiring 

Vol,  IV.  3  L 


45  o  ^T/^^  Druid. 

fkill  In  the  fciences  ;  but  thefe  talents  are  by  no  means 
the  fame,  or  in  direiSt  proportion  to  one  another.  I  have 
known  perfons  who  feemed  capable  of  learning  any  thing, 
and  who  did  know  a  great  deal  upon  many  fubjeds,  who 
yet  had  fuch  a  comical  caft  in  their  general  behavior, 
that  it  was  not  eafy  to  avoid  fmlling  at  their  fpeech  and 
condudl.  I  have  even  known  perfons,  male  and  female, 
with  whom  you  could  find  no  fault,  but  that  their  carriage 
and  conversation  were  too  complete  and  perfect  at  all 
times,  and  yet  we  fufpeded  them  of  folly,  merely  becaufe 
they  w^re  free  from  the  follies  and  irregularities  of  others. 
I  remember  an  inflance,  in  early  life,  of  my  being  in 
company,  for  the  firft  time,  with  a  certain  young  lady, 
and  after  a  few  minutes,  fhe  aiked  me  a  very  judicious 
queftion  upon  the  charadler  and  hiftory  of  Augullus  Cae- 
far,  which  made  me  immediately  fufpe(3:  that  ihe  was  not 
quite  found ;  whereas,  if  fhe  had  only  faid  it  was  a  fine 
day  after  the  rain,  or  uttered  any  other  fuch  wife  and 
pertinent  refleiSlion,  I  fhould  have  concluded  nothing  to 
her  prejudice.  Dn  the  other  hand,  there  are  many  in- 
(lances  of  perfons  who  have  made  trial  of  ftudy  and  fcience 
with  very  little  fuccefs,  and  who,  giving  them  up,  have 
applied  to  a6live  life,  and  have  defervedly  acquired  the 
character  of  clear-headed,  fenfible,  judicious  men.  The 
truth  is,  the  diflindtion  between  literature  and  common 
fenfe,  feemsto  be  well  known  and  generally  acknowledged. 
There  are  fome  who  evidently  give  way  to,  or  even  affedl 
an  abfence  of  mind,  from  forgetfulnefs  and  inattention  to 
what  they  are  about,  and  expert  we  fliould  confider  it  as 
an  indication  of  profound  ftudy  and  deep  learning.  This 
is  one  of  the  mod  ridiculous  pieces  of  aflfedlation  imagi- 
nable. Such  gentlemen,  if  they  be  logicians,  fliould  be 
told  ihditaparticulari  ad  universale  non  valet  consequentia. 
We  know  very  well  that  fome  great  fcholars  are  fools, 
but  this  will  never  prove  that  all  fools  are  great  fcholars. 
Upon  the  whole,  it  feems  that  fcience,  or  a  capacity  for 
it,  is  not  common  fenfe. 

Since  then  common  fenfe  is  a  gift  of  nature,  different 
from  a  capacity  for  fcience  in  general,  fhall  we  fay  that  it 
is  genius,  including  particularly  thofe  exalted  and  admired 


The  Druid.  45 1 

talents  which  have  been,  by  fome  of  the  latefl  writers, 
called  the  powers  of  imagination.  Here  we  are  further 
from  the  point  than  ever,  for  great  wit  and  a  lively  ima- 
gination are  rather  confidered  as  oppofed  to  judjrment  and 
prudence,  and  other  happy  fruits  of  common  fenfe.  So 
much  is  this  the  cafe,  that  the  poet  has  been  often  cited 
with  approbation,  who  fays, 

"  Great  wit  to  madnefs  fure  is  near  allied, 
And  thin  partitions  do  their  bounds  divide." 

It  is  common  to  fay,  that  fuch  a  man  has  more  fail  than 
ballad,  meaning  that  his  imagination,  fire  and  fprightlinefs 
are  an  overmatch  for  his  prudence,  and  clearly  carrying 
the  fuppofition,  that  this  laft  quality  is  as  oppofite  to  the 
others,  as  fail  is  to  ballall,  or  even  motion  to  red.  To  all 
this  may  be  added,  that  fome  who  really  were,  and  many 
who  defired  to  be  thought,  men  of  great  genius,  have  ac- 
tually claimed  it  as  their  right,  not  to  be  confined  to  com- 
mon forms,  and  indeed  have  generally  aded  accordingly. 
We  have  feen  then  that  refinement,  fcience,  genius,  are 
not  common  fenfe,  fliall  we  now  go  any  further?  Is  there 
not  a  chara£ter  in  which  there  is  knowledge  of  the  mod 
liberal  kind,  clearnefs  of  underdanding,  penetration  of 
mind  upon  every  fubje£l,  and  yet  a  weaknefs  or  want  of 
common  fenfe,  in  condudl  and  behavior  ?  Arc  there  not 
fome  who  feem  to  have,  not  only  all  other  fenfes,  but  com- 
mon fenfe  too,  for  every  body  but  themfelves  ?  They  can 
immediately  and  readily  difcover  the  midakes  of  others, 
they  can  give  the  bed  and  founded  advice  upon  every 
fubje£l,  and  yet  never  could  adt  a  wife  part  themfelves  on 
any  fubjcdt.  Some  who  are  even  connoiffeurs  in  oecono- 
my,  never  can  keep  their  own  affairs  in  tolerable  order.  I 
have  known  a  gentleman  who  reduced  himfelf  to  beggary 
by  foolifli  projects,  yet,  after  having  fold  his  paternal  in- 
heritance,  he  employed  himfelf  in  thinking  and  writing 
on  that  fubjea  on  which  he  had  aded  wrong,  and  pub- 
lidiedeffays  on  agriculture,  modedly  pointing  out  to  gen- 
tlemen and  farmers  by  how  fmall  a  portion  of  land,  weli 
improved,  they  might  fpeedily  acquire  a  plentiful  cdate% 


45*  516^  Druid. 

Upon  comparing  all  thefe  obfervations  together,  I  beg 
leave  to  lay  down  a  few  propofitions  which  appear  to  be, 
neareft  the  truth  in  the  way  of  theory  or  fyfleni,  and  on 
them  to  jjround  a  few  pradlcal  advices.  There  feem  to 
be  three  fe  pa  rate  qualities  of  the  human  mind  very  v'ell 
expreffcd  in  the  old  philofophy,  by  the  three  known  terms 
of  memory,  imagination  and  judgment.  Thefe  are  truly 
diftin6t  one  from  another  ;  for  any  one  of  them  may  not 
only  exifl,  but  be  in  hi^h  perfection,  in  the  abfence  of  both 
the  others.  This  will  not,  I  think,  be  doubted  as  to  the 
two  firil:,  and  even  as  to  the  laft,  1  have  known  Ibme  per- 
fons  not  only  without  iniagination  as  a  talent,  but  with 
very  little  taile  for  works  of  imagination,  and  whofe  me- 
mory was  no  ways  remarkable,  who  have  paflcd  through 
life  with  great  dignity  and  credit,  who,  with  or  without 
learning,  have  conduded  their  own  affairs  with  prudence 
and  difcretion,  and  difcovered  the  higheft  fenfe  of  pro- 
priety and  decorutn  in  all  their  intercourfe  with  others, 
under  the  happy  j^uidance  of  plain  common  fenfe. 

In  the  next  place,  though  thefe  qualities  are  diftini^, 
thev  are  by  no  tneans  incompatible.  There  have  been 
inilances  of  perfons  who  pofTefTed  all  the  three  in  high  per- 
fection ;  and  there  mull  be  a  coisfiderable  proportion  of 
each  to  form  a  charadler  truly  illuUrious.  Some,  in  whom^ 
imagination  has  been  very  ftrong,  have  alfo  been  remark- 
able tor  clearnefs  of  judgment  in  their  woiks,  good  fenfe 
and  prudence  in  their  whole  deportment.  The  fame  thing 
I  fay  of  memory.  Some  prodigies  of  memory  have  been 
defedive  in  judgment,  but  many  gre^t  men  have  alfo  ex- 
celled in  this  reipedt,  and  no  fmall  meafure  of  it  is  necef- 
fary  both  in  works  of  genius  and  the  functions  of  public 
life.     Again, 

Of  thefe  three  qualities,  judgment  is  by  far  the  moft 
valuable  and  important.  Of  itfelf  it  is  amiable  and  re- 
fpedable,  while  the  others,  without  it,  are  contemptible, 
ufeiefs  or  hurtful.  A  man  of  memory  without  judgment, 
is  a  fool;  and  a  man  of  imagination,  without  judgment, 
is  mad  ,  but  when  this  great  quality  takes  the  government 
ot  both,  they  acquire  lullre,  and  conmiand  univcrfal  ef- 


The  Druid,  453 

teem.  No  human  accomplifliment,  imlefs  it  has  this  as 
its  foundation  and  ground- work,  can  reach  perfcclion,tven 
in  its  own  kind.  Memory  will  make  a  lin^uili,  ima^^ina-  ' 
tion  will  make  a  poet,  penetration  will  make  a  pliilolb- 
pher,  public  liie  will  make  a  politician,  and  court  breed- 
ing will  make  a  man  of  fafliion  ;  yet  all  of  them  are  ef. 
fcntialiy  defedive,  if  common  fcrnfe  is  weak  or  wanting. 
There  is  fomethin^  in  the  application  and  dircdlion  of  all 
thefe  accomplishments  which  judgment  mud  lupply,  and 
which  neither  inilrudtion,  example,  nor  even  experience 
will  bcftow. 

It  is  probable  that  many  would  readily  grant  me  (what 
yet  I  do  notafk,  being  hardly  of  the  fame  opinion)  that  of 
all  the  charaders  juii:  now  mentioned,  that  of  a  mpn  of 
fafliion  or  politenels  is  the  moft  fuperficial,  and  what  may 
be  mofi  eafily  attained  by  imitation  and  habit.  Yet  even 
here,  nothing  is  more  eafy  than  to  fee  the  dominion  of 
judgment  and  good  fenfe,  or  the  prevalence  of  folly  and 
indifcretion.  That  want  of  prt-icnce  ol  mind  or  embar- 
ralTment,  which  is  often  the  efiedl  of  modefly  or  bafhlul- 
nefs,  nay,  even  the  errors  and  blunders  which  vifibly  pro- 
ceed from  ignorance  and  millake  of  the  reigning  mode, 
are  not  half  fo  abfurd  and  ridiculous,  as  the  aiTefted  airs 
and  mifpldced  ceremonies  of  a  fop,  of  which  the  ladies  are 
always  mod  attentive  obfervers,  dnd  to  give  them  their 
due,  generally  not  incompetent  judges. 

Once  more,  judgment  is  an  original  and  radical  qua- 
lity, that  is  of  all  others  leaft  capable  of  being  counnuni- 
cated  by  inllrudion,  or  even  improved  or  augmented  by 
culture.  Mem.ory  and  imagination  are  alfo  gifts  of  na- 
ture  ;  but  they  may  be  greatly  increafcd,  the  one  by  ex- 
ercife,  and  the  other  by  iudulgence.  You  may  teach  a 
man  any  thing  in  the  world  but  prudence,  which  is  the 
genuine  offspring  of  comuion  fenl'e.  It  is  generally  laid 
that  experience  teaches  fools,  but  the  meaning  of  the  pro- 
verb is  often  u  illaken,  for  it  docs  not  fignlfy  that  experi- 
ence makes  them  wife  :  it  fignifies  that  they  never  are 
wife  at  all,  but  perfid  in  fpite  of  inlh-u6\ion,  warning  and 
example,  till  they  feel  the  effeds  of  their  own  folly.  Il  a 
man  is  born  v/ith  a  fund  of  good  fcufe  and  natural  difcern- 


454  5^^^  Druid, 

ment,  it  will,  appear  in  the  very  firfl:  flages  of  his  educa- 
tion. He  who  OLitflrips  his  fellows  in  a  grammar  fchool, 
will  not  always  be  the  greateft  fcholar  in  advanced  life  ; 
but  he  who  does  not  difcover  difcernment  and  fagacity 
when  a  boy,  will  never  be  diftinguiihed  for  it  fo  long  as 
he  lives.  It  is  often  faid,  in  a  certain  country,  that  a  fool 
of  forty  will  never  be  wife  ;  which  is  fometimes  under- 
llood  as  if  a  man  made  as  regular  a  progrefs  to  the  fum- 
mit  of  his  wifdom,  till  the  age  offortyy  as  he  does  to  that 
of  his  (lature  till  twenty  ;  which  is  a  very  great  mi  (take. 
I  take  it  to  be  in  this  cafe,  as  in  the  other,  that  a  man 
of  forty  has  fufFicIently  proved  to  all  the  world  that  he  is 
not,  and  therefore  that  he  never  was,  and  never  will  be 
wife. 

Shall  we  fay  then  that  this  mofl  valuable  of  all  human 
qualities  receives  no  benefit  at  all  from  a  well  conducted 
education,  from  ftudy,  or  from  an  acquaintance  with  the 
world.  I  anfwer,  that  I  do  not  think  it  is  capable  of  any 
change  in  its  nature,  or  addition  to  its  vigor,  but  it  may 
be  joined  to  other  talents  of  more  or  lefs  value,  and  it  may 
be  applied  to  purpofes  more  or  lefs  ufeful  and  important, 
and  thence  acquire  a  ludre  and  polifh,  of  which  it  would 
otherwife  be  deilitute.  The  fame  good  fenfe  and  pru- 
dence, which  alone  would  make  a  fenfible  judicious  far- 
mer, would,  if  united  to  memory  and  imagination,  and 
enriched  with  fliill  in  the  liberal  arts,  make  an  eminent 
fcholar,  and  bring  in  large  contributions  to  the  ti*eafury  of 
human  fcience.  The  fame  foundnefs  of  judgment,  which, 
in  a  country  life  or  contrafted  neighborhood,  would  fet  an 
example  of  frugality,  be  an  enemy  to  diforder,  and  point 
out  the  pofTeffor  as  a  proper  umpire  in  unhappy  diffen- 
tions  ;  would,  in  a  more  enlarged  fphere,  make  an  accom- 
plifhed  fenator  or  a  politician,  to  manage  the  affairs  of  a 
large  community,  or  fettle  the  differences  of  contending 
nations. 

1  come  now  to  offer  my  readers  fome  advices,  a  prac- 
tice to  which  I  am  by  nature  and  habit  exceedingly  prone. 
A  difficulty^  it  mu(lbe  confelled,  feems  to  occur  in  this 
matter.  If  the  abov(f  theory  be  jud,  there  feems  to  be 
little  room  left  for  advice,  as  the  great  talent,  fo  largely 


The  Dniid.  455 

dsfcrlbed,  is  fappofed  to  be  original  and  unalteraMe.  This 
difficulty,  however,  notvvithltanding,  important  infiruc- 
tion  may  be  grafted  upon  it,  not  only  to  parents  and  others 
who  have  the  charge  of  the  education  of  youth,  but  to 
every  man,  for  the  future  diredion  of  his  own  condui^h 

As  to  the  firft  of  thefe,  I  would  intreat  parents  to  guard 
againfl  that  fond  partiality  which  inclines  them  to  form 
a  wrong  judgment  of  the  capacity  of  their  children  ;  par- 
ticularly, it  were  to  be  wiflied,  that  they  would  not  take 
a  few  fallies  of  pgrtnefs  and  vivacity  for  an  evidence  of 
diftinguifhed  parts.  It  is  well  known,  and  has  been  fre- 
quently obferved,  how  apt  parents  are  to  entertain  their 
vifitors  with  an  account  of  the  bright  fayings  or  llirewd 
fchemes  of  their  children,  as  molt  promifmg  fymptoms  of 
their  future  talents ;  and  yet,  {o  far  as  my  obfervation 
reaches,  the  things  related  might  for  the  mod  part  juftify 
a  contrary  fuppofuion.  I  fhould  run  little  rifk  in  affirm- 
ing, that  three  fourths  at  leail  of  thofe  anecdotes,  which 
parents  relate  with  fo  much  triumph  of  their  children,  are 
to  be  accounted  for  from  memory,  or  petulance,  or  even 
flupidity.  A  child  will  repeat,  at  an  improper  time,  a 
phrafe  or  remark  that  he  has  heard,  and  it  will  make  fo 
abfurd  a  contrail  with  what  is  going  on,  that  it  is  impoffi- 
ble  to  forbear  laughing.  I  afk  whether  this  is  an  evi- 
dence of  the  greatnefs  or  the  want  of  underllanding  in 
the  child  ?  Another  will  give  an  infolent  and  faucy  an- 
fwer,  and  acquire  great  reputation  for  what  deferved  the 
molt  fevere  and  exemplary  correction.  To  crown  all, 
I  will  tell  a  true  (lory  :  An  old  gentleman,  whom  I 
knew,  would  often  fay,  in  commendation  of  his  fon's  wif- 
dom,  then  a  boy  about  ten  or  twelve  year's  of  age.  That 
when  other  boys  are  breaking  their  legs  by  falls  from 
limbs  of  trees,  or  going  a  fifliing  in  rivers,  at  the  riik  cf 
being  drowned,  his  fon  would  fifh  a  whole  afternoon  with 
a  crooked  pin,  in  a  tub  of  foul  water  in  the  kitchen.  I 
fuppofe  any  reader  will  agree,  that  the  fadl  and  the  re- 
mark taken  together,  conditute  a  full  proof  that  the  mo- 
ther was  honell,  and  the  fon  lawfully  begotten. 

It  would  be  a  great  advantage,  that  parents  fliould 
make  a  moderate  eflimation  of  the  talents  of  their  chiU 


45^  5"i^  Druid. 

dren,  in  two  refpedls.  (i.)  It  would  preferve  the  chil- 
dren thenifelves  from  being  puffed  up  with  unmerited 
praile,  and  thus  miUdking  their  own  chara6"ter  and  capa- 
city. '  Thou>jh  the  native  force  and  vigor  of  common 
fenfe  can  neither  be  augmented  nor  deflroyed,  yet  it  may 
be,  and  1  believe  frequently  is  ne^leded  and  defpifed,  or 
overgrown  by  the  rank  weeds  of  ofientation  and  felf  fuiS- 
ciency.  When  30ung  perfons  are  vain  of  the  talents 
which  they  do  not  poiTcfs,  or  ambitious  of  a  chara61er 
which  they  cannot  attain.,  they  become  ridiculous  in  their 
condudl.  and  are  generally  unfuccefsfui  in  their  purfuits. 
(2.)  It  would  incline  and  make  their  parents  to  conduct 
their  education  in  the  mod  proper  manner,  by  giving  par- 
ticular attention  to  thofe  branches  of  inflrudion,  which, 
though  lefs  fplendid,  are  more  generally  ufeful  than  fome 
others.  It  would  lead  me  too  much  into  detail  to  give 
many  examples  for  the  illullration  of  this  remark,  and 
therefore  I  fhall  only  fay,  that  common  (qx\^q^  which  is  a 
modell  unafTuming  quality,  and  a  diligent  application  to 
the  ufeful  parts  of  fcience,  will  neither  dilirefs  nor  weak- 
en a  fervent  imagination,  when  it  really  refides  in  the 
Hime  fubjeCl;  but  giving  loofe  reins  to  a  warm  imagina- 
tion, will  often  overfet  a  moderate  degree  of  judgment,  fo 
that  it  will  never  more  dare  to  fhow  its  head.  I  have 
known  fome  youths  of  bright  genius  in  their  own  efleem, 
who  have  looked  dov/n  with  great  contempt  upon  quiet 
and  orderly  boys  as  dull  plodding  fellows,  and  yet  thefe 
lad  have,  in  the  ilTae,  become  men  of  fpirit  and  capacity, 
as  well  as  literature,  while  the  others  have  evaporated 
into  rakes  and  bullies,  and  indeed  blockheads  ;  or  taking 
the  road  to  Mount  Helicon,  have  become  poets,  fools 
and  beggars. 

I  mult  advife  every  reader,  efpecially  thofe  in  early 
years,  to  form  his  opinion  oi  others,  and  his  friendly  at- 
tachments, upon  the  principles  above  laid  doun.  No- 
thing will  more  cffedlually  miflead  young  perfons  than 
an  exceffive  admiration  of  (liowy  talents  in  thofe  with 
whom  they  converfe,  whether  they  be  real  or  fuppofed. 
I  have  known  many  inftances  of  perfons  who  apparently 
owed  their  rain  to  their  imbibing,  early  in  life,  a  notion 


The  Druid.  457 

that  decency,  order,  and  a  prudent  management  of  tl.eir 
affairs,  were  marks  of  dulnel's  ;  and  on  the  contrary,  that 
petulance,  frowardnefs  and  irregularity,  and  even  vicious 
excefles,  were  the  effects  of  fpirit  and  capacity.  Many 
follow  the  leading  perfon  in  frolics,  not  from  any  inward 
approbation  of  fuch  practices,  but  merely  to  avoid  the  re- 
proach which  in  fuch  focieties  is  fo  unjuilly  bellowed.  I 
beg  all  fuch  to  believe  me,  as  a  perfon  of  fome  experience 
in  places  of  public  education,  when  I  affure  them,  that  in 
nine  inflances  out  of  ten,  your  ramblers,  night-walkers, 
and  mifchief  workers,  are  blockheads  and  thick-fculls. 
Does  it  require  any  genius,  think  you,  to  throw  a  log  in 
another's  way  in  a  dark  pafTage,  and  after  he  has  Rumbled 
over  it,  to  raife  a  triumphant  laugh  at  him,  who  was  fuch 
a  fool  as  not  to  fee  without  light. 

I  conclude  with  obferving,  that  whatever  may  be  the 
capacity  of  any  perfon  in  itfelf,  if  it  is  negledled  or  mif- 
improved,  it  will  either  be  wholly  loft  or  be  of  little  con- 
fequence  in  future  life.  Our  very  bodily  frame  prefents 
us  with  aleflbn  of  inilrudlion  upon  this  fubje(5t.  Though 
formed  by  nature  complete  and  regular,  if  it  is  accullom- 
ed  to  any  improper  torture  or  ungraceful  motion,  the  ha- 
bit  will  foon  become  unconquerable  ;  and  any  particular 
limb  or  member  that  for  a  long  lime  is  not  ufed,  will  be- 
come  ufclefs.  This  holds  yet  more  flrongly  as  to  the 
powers  of  the  mind  :  they  are  loft  by  negligence  ;  but  by 
proper  application  they  are  preferved,  improved,  and  ia 
many  cafes  increafed.  Let  all,  therefore,  who  wilh  or 
hope  to  be  eminent,  remember,  that  as  the  height  to  which 
you  can  raife  a  tower,  depends  upon  the  fize  and  folidity 
of  its  bafe,  fo  they  ought  to  lay  the  foundation  of  their 
future  fame  deep  r.nd  ftrong,  in  fobriety,  prudence  and 
patient  induftry,  which  are  the  genuine  dilates  oi plain 
common  sense. 


Vol.  IV.  3  M 


4S^  T&e  Druids 

NUMBER    V. 
SIR, 

A  MAN  is  not,  even  at  this  time,  called  or  confider- 
ed  as  a  fcholar,  unlefs  he  is  acquainted  in  fome  de- 
gree with  the  ancient  languages,  particularly  the  Greek 
and  Latin,  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  how- 
ever, thofe  languages  were  better  underftood  than  they  are 
at  prefent ;  becaufe,  at  that  time,  authors  of  reputation 
publifhed  almoft  all  their  works  in  Latin.  Since  the  pe- 
riod above  nientioned,  the  modern,  or  as  they  are  fome- 
times  called,  the  northern  languages,  have  been  gradual- 
ly polifhed,  and  each  nation  has  manifelled  a  zeal  for,  and 
an  attention  to,  the  purity  and  perfection  of  its  own  tongue. 
This  has  been  the  cafe,  particularly,  with  refpedt  to  the 
•French  and  Englilh.  The  French  language  is,  as  near- 
ly as  I  can  guefs,  about  fifty  years  before  the  Englifh,  in 
this  refpeft ;  that  is  to  fay,  it  is  fo  much  longer  fuice  their 
men  of  letters  applied  themfelves  to  the  afcertaining,  cor- 
recling  and  polifliing  of  it.  The  Englifh,  however,  has 
received  great  improvements  within  thelafl  hundred  years, 
and  probably  v;il]  continue  to  do  fo.  He  muft  have  little 
judgment,  or  great  obftinacy,  who  does  not  confefs  that 
fome  late  authors  have  written  the  Englifh  language  with 
greater  purity^  than  thofe  of  the  firif  character  in  former 
times.  From  this  we  may  certainly  infer,  that  the  educa- 
tion muft  be  very  imperfect  in  any  feminary  where  no 
care  is  taken  to  form  the  fcholars  to  tafte,  propriety  and 
accuracy,  in  that  language  which  they  muft  fpeak  and 
write  all  their  life  afterwards. 

To  thefe  refle6lions  it  maybe  added,  that  our  fituatioa 
in  America  is  now,  and  in  all  probability  will  continue  to 
be  fuch,  as  to  require  peculiar  attention  upon  this  fubjeft. 
The  Englifli  language  is  fpoken  throu<;h  all  the  United 
States.  We  are  at  a  great  diftance  from  the  ifland  of 
Great-Britain,  in  which  the  ftandard  of  the  language  is  as 
yet  fuppofed  to  be  found.     Every  ftate  is  equal  to  and  in- 


The  Druid.  459 

dependent  of  every  other  ;  and,  I  believe,  none  of  them 
will  agree,  at  leait  immediately,  to  receive  laws  from 
another,  in  difcourfe,  any  more;  than  in  adlion.  Time 
and  accident  mufi:  determine  what  turn  afl'.tirs  will  take  in 
this  refpedl  in  future,  whether  we  fhall  continue  to  confi- 
der  the  language  of  Great-Britain  as  the  pattern  upon 
which  we  are  to  form  ours  ;  or  whether,  in  this  new  em- 
pire, fome  centre  of  learning  and  politenefs  will  not  be 
found,  which  lliall  obtain  influence  and  prefcribs  the 
rules  of  fpeech  and  writing  to  every  other  part. 

While  this  point  is  yet  unfettled,  it  has  occurred  to 
me  to  make  fome  obfervations  upon  the  prefent  fiate  of 
the  Englifh  language  in  America,  and  to  attempt  a  col- 
ledlion  of  fome  of  the  chief  improprieties  which  prevail, 
and  might  be  eafily  corredled.  I  will  premife  one  or 
two  general  remaj'ks.  The  vulgar  in  America  fpeak 
much  better  than  the  vulgar  in  Great-Britain,  for  a  very 
obvious  reafon,  viz.  that  being  much  more  unfettled,  and 
moving  frequently  from  place  to  place,  they  are  not  {o 
liable  to  local  peculiarities,  either  in  accent  or  phrafeology. 
There  is  a  greater  difference  in  dialeft  between  one 
county  and  another  in  Britain,  than  there  is  between 
one  Hate  and  another  in  America.  I  ihctll  alfo  admit, 
though  with  fome  hefitation,  that  gentlemen  and  fcholars 
in  Great- Britain  fpeak  as  much  vv^ith  the  vulgar  in  com- 
mon chit  chat,  as  perfons  of  the  fame  clafs  do  in  America  : 
but  there  is  a  remarkable  difference  in  their  public  and 
folemn  difcourfes.  I  have  heard  in  this  country,  in  the 
fenate,  at  the  bar,  and  from  the  pulpit,  and  fce  daily  in 
diflertations  from  the  pre fs,  errors  in  grammar,  impropri- 
eties and  vulgarifms,  which  hardly  any  perfon  of  the  fame 
clafs,  in  point  of  rank  and  literature,  would  have  fallen  into 
in  Great- Britain.  Curiofity  led  me  to  make  a  colle6lion 
of  thefe,  which,  as  foon  as  it  became  large,  convinced 
me  that  they  were  of  very  different  liinds,  and  therefore 
muft  be  reduced  to  a  confiderable  number  of  claffes,  in 
order  to  their  being  treated  with  critical  juRicc.  Thefs 
I  now  prefent  to  the  public  under  the  following  heads,  to 
each  of  which  I  will  fubjoin  a  iliort  explication,  and  a 


4^Q  The  Druid^ 

number  of  examples,  with  remarks  where  they  feem  ne- 
ceflary. 

1.  Amerlcanifms,  or  ways  of  fpeaklng  peculiar  to  this 
ppuntry. 

2.  Vulgarirpns  in  England  and  America. 

3.  Vulgarifms  in  America  only. 

4.  Local  phrafes  or  terms. 

5.  Common  blunders  arifmg  from  ignorance. 

6.  Cant  phrafes. 

7.  Perfonal  blunders. 

8.  Technical  terms  introduced  into  the  language. 

It  will  be  proper  to  put  the  reader  in  mind,  that  he 
ought  not  to  expe£t  that  the  enumeration  under  each  of 
thefe  heads  can  be  complete.  This  would  have  required 
a  very  long  courfe  of  obfervation  ;  and  indeed  is  not  ne- 
cefTary  to  my  purpofe,  which  is  by  fpecimens  to  enable 
every  attentive  and  judicious  perfon  to  make  obfervations 
for  himfelf. 

X.  The  firft  clafs  I  call  Amerlcanifms,  by  which  I  un- 
derlland  an  ufe  of  phrafes  or  terms,  or  a  conflruclion  of 
fentences,  even  arnong  perfons  of  rank  and  education, 
different  from  the  ufe  of  the  fame  terms  or  phrafes,  or 
the  conflruftion  of  fimilar  fentences,  in  Great-Britain. 
It  does  not  follow,  from  a  man's  ufmg  thefe,  that  he  is 
ignorant,  pr  his  djfcourfe  upon  the  whole  inelegant ;  nay, 
it  does  not  follow  in  every  cafe,  that  the  terms  or  phrafes 
nfed  are  wprfe  in  themfelves,  but  merely  that  they  are  of 
American  and  not  of  Englifh  growth.  The  word  Ame- 
ricanifm,  which  \  have  coined  for  the  purpofe,  is  exadly 
fimilar  in  its  formation  and  fignification  to  the  word 
Scotticifm.  By  the  word  Scotticifm  is  underdood  any 
term  or  phrafe,  and  indeed  any  thing  either  in  conflruc- 
lion, pronunciation,  or  accentuation,  that  is  peculiar  to 
North-Britain.  There  are  many  inflances  in  which  the 
Scotch  way  is  as  good,  and  fome  in  which  every  perfon 
who  has  the  leafl  tafte  as  to  the  propriety  or  purity  of  lan- 
guage in  general,  muft  confefs  that  it  is  better,  than  that  of 
England,  yet  fpeakers  and  writers  muft  conform  to  cuf- 
torn. 


7he  Dnnd,  461 

Scotland,  or  the  northern  part  of  Great-Britain,  was 
once  a  feparate  independent  kingdom,  though,  except  in 
the  Highlands,  the  people  fpot<e  the  fame  language  as  in 
England  ;  the  inhabitants  of  the  Lowlands,  in  both  coun- 
tries,  having  been  originally  the  -fame.  It  is  jufUy  ob- 
ferved  by  Dr.  Robertfon,  in  his  hiftory  of  Scotland,  that 
had  they  continued  feparate  kingdoms,  fo  that  there  fhould 
have  been  a  court  and  parliament  at  Edinburgh,  to  fcrve 
as  a  ftandard,  the  fmall  differences  in  dialed!  and  even  in 
pronunciation,  would  not  have  been  confidered  as  defeats  ; 
and  there  would  have  been  no  more  opprobrium  attend- 
ing the  ufe  of  them  in  fpeech  or  writing,  than  there  was 
in  the  ufe  of  the  different  dialedls  of  the  ancient  Grecian 
republics.  But  by  the  removal  of  the  court  to  London, 
and  efpecially  by  the  union  of  the  two  kingdoms,  the 
Scottilh  manner  of  fpeaking  came  to  be  confidered  as  pro- 
vincial barbarifm  ;  which,  therefore,  all  fcholars  arc  now 
at  the  utmofl  pains  to  avoid.  It  is  very  probable  that  the 
reverfe  of  this,  or  rather  its  counter  part,  will  happen  in 
America.  Being  entirely  feparated  from  Britain,  we  iliall 
find  fome  centre  or  flandard  of  our  own,  and  not  be  fub- 
je(5l  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  ifland,  either  in  receivin;^ 
new  ways  of  fpeaking,  or  rejedling  the  okl. 
The  examples  follow. 

1.  "  The  United  States,  or  either  of  them."  This  is  {o 
far  from  being  a  mark  of  ignorance,  that  it  is  ufed  by  ma- 
ny of  the  mofl  able  and  accurate  fpeakers  and  writers,  yet 
it  is  not  Englifh.  The  United  States  are  thirteen'  in  num. 
ber,  but  in  Englifli  either  does  not  fignify  one  of  many, 
but  one  or  the  other  of  two.  I  imagine  cither  has  become 
an  adjedlive  pronoun,  by  being  a  fort  of  abbreviation  of  a 
fentence  where  it  is  ufed  adverbially,  either  the  one  or  the 
other.  It  is  exadly  the  fame  with  ehatcros  in  Greek,  and 
alterutur  in  Latin. 

2.  This  is  to  notify  the  public  ;  or  the  pcopfe  had  not 
been  notified.  By  this  is  meant  inform  and  informed.  In 
Engliih  we  do  not  notify  the  perfon  of  the  thing,  but  no- 
tify the  thing  to  the  perfon.  In  this  inflance  there  is  cer- 
tainly an  impropriety,/^r  to  notify  is  juft  faying  by  a  word 
of  Latin  derivation,  to  make  knovjn.    Now  if  you  cannot 


462  The  Druid. 

fay  this  is  to  make  the  public  known,  neither  ought  you 
to  fay  this  is  to  notify  the  public. 

3.  Fellow  countrymen.  This  is  a  word  of  very  frequent 
ufe  in  America.  It  has  been  heard  in  public  orations  from 
men  of  the  firft  charader,  and  may  be  daily  feen  in  news- 
paper publications.  It  is  an  evident  tautology,  for  the  lafi: 
word  expreffes  fully  the  meaning  of  both.  If  you  open 
any  didionary,  you  will  find  the  word  countryman  figni- 
iies  one  born  in  the  fame  country.  You  mav  fay  fellow 
citizens,  fellow  foldicrs,  fellow  fubje6ts,  fellow  chriflians, 
but  nol  fellow  countrymen. 

4.  Thefe  thm^^s  were  ordered  delivered  to  the  army. 
The  words  to  be  are  omitted.  I  am  not  certain  whether 
this  is  a  local  expreifion  or  general  in  America. 

5.  I  wifti  we  could  contrive  it  to  Philadelphia.  The 
words  to  carry  h^  to  have  it  carried^  or  fome  fuch,  are 
wanting.  It  is  a  defective  conllrudion,  of  which  there  are 
but  too  many  that  have  already  obtained  in  practice,  in 
Ipite  of  all  the  remonllrances  of  men  of  letters. 

6.  We  may  hope  the  afliflance  of  God.  The  word /or 
or  to  receive  is  wanting.  In  this  inflance  hope,  which  is 
a  neuter  verb,  is  turned  into  the  a6live  verb,  and  not  very 
properly  as  to  the  objedlive  term  afliftance.  It  mud  be 
admitted,  however,  that  in  fome  old  Englifli  poets,  hope 
is  fometimes  ufed  as  an  adlive  verb,  but  it  is  contrary  to 
modern  pra£tice. 

7.  I  do  not  confider  myfelf  equal  to  this  talk.  The 
word  as  is  wanting.  1  am  not  certain  whether  this  may 
not  be  an  Englifh  vulgarifm,  for  it  is  frequently  ufed  by 
the  renowned  author  of  Common  Senfe,  who  is  an  En- 
glilhman  born  ;  but  he  has  ^o  happy  a  talent  of  adopting 
the  blunders  of  others,  that  nothing  decifive  can  be  infer- 
red from  his  practice.'  It  is,  however,  undoubtedly  an 
Americanlfm,  for  it  is  ufed  by  authors  greatly  fuperior  to 
him  in  every  refpedl. 

8.  Neither  to  day  or  to  morrow.  The  proper  conftruc- 
tion  is,  either  the  one  or  the  other,  neither  the  one  nor  the 
other. 

9.  A  certain  Thomas  Benfon.  The  word  certain,  as 
ufed  in  Englifli,  is  an  indefinite,  the  name  fixes  it  precife^ 


TJje  DrtdcL  463 

ly,  fo  that  there  is  a  kind  of  contradifllon  in  the  cxprefHon. 
In  England  they  would  fay,  a  certain  perfon  calltrd  or  lup. 
poied  to  be  Thomas  Benfon. 

10.  Such  bodies  are  i/icickru  to  thefe  evils.  The  evil 
is  incident  or  ready  to  fall  upon  the  perfon,  the  perfon  li- 
able  or  fubjedl  to  the  evil. 

11.  He  is  a  very  c/cver  man.  She  is  quite  a  clever 
woman.  How  often  are  thefc  phrafcs  to  be  heard  in  con- 
verfation  ?  Their  meaning,  however,  would  certainly  be 
miftaken  when  heard  for  the  fird  time  by  one  born  in  Bri- 
tain. In  thefc  cafes,  Americans  generally  mean  by  clrccr^ 
only  goodnefs  of  difpofition,  worthinefs,  integrity,  without 
the  leaft  regard  to  capacity  ;  nay,  if  I  am  not  miftaken, 
it  is  frequently  applied,  where  there  is  an  acknowledged 
fimplicity,  or  mediocrity  of  capacity.  But  in  Britain,  cle- 
ver always  means  capacity,  and  may  be  joined  either  to  a 
good  or  bad  difpofition.  We  fay  of  a  man,  he  is  a  clever 
man,  a  clever  tradefman,  a  clever  fellow,  without  any  re- 
flexion upon  his  moral  character,  yet  at  the  fame  time  it 
carries  no  approbation  of  it.  It  is  exceeding  good  En- 
glifti,  and  very  common  to  fay.  He  is  a  clever  fellow,  but 
I  am  {orry  to  fay  it,  he  is  alfo  a  great  rogue.  When  clc- 
vernefs  is  applied  primarily  to  condu(5l,  and  not  to  the 
perfon,  it  generally  carries  in  it  the  idea  of  art  or  chicanery, 
not  very  honorable  ;  for  example — Such  a  plan  I  confefs 
was  very  clever,  i.  e.  fly,  artful,  well  contrived,  but  not 
very  fair. 

12.  I  was  quite  mad  at  him,  he  made  me  quite  mad. 
In  this  inftance  mad  is  only  a  metaphor  for  angry.  Thin 
is  perhaps  an  Englifh  vulgarifm,  but  it  is  not  found  in 
any  accurate  writer,  nor  ufed  by  any  good  fpeaker,  unleis 
when  poets  or  orators  life  it  as  a  llrong  figure,  and  to 
heighten  the  cKprelTion  fay,  he  was  mad  with  rafc. 

fhefe  fhall  fuiiice  for  the  firll  clafs. 


464  ^he  Druid. 

NUMBER    VI. 
S  I  R, 

1  PROCEED  now  upon  the  plan  laid  down  in  my  laft 
paper,  to  the  lecond  general  clafs  of  improprieties, 
viz.  vulgarifms  in  England  and  America.  Ofthefe  there 
is  great  plenty  to  be  found  every  where,  in  writing  and  in 
converfation.  They  need  very  little  explication,  and  in- 
deed would  fcarcely  deferve  to  be  mentioned  in  a  difcourfc 
of  this  nature,  were  it  not  for  the  circumllance  hinted  at 
in  the  introdudlion,  that  fcholars  and  public  perfons  are 
at  lefs  pains  to  avoid  them  here,  than  in  Britain. 

1.  I  will  mention  the  vulgar  abbreviations  in  generalj 
as  an't,  can't,  han't,  don't,  fhould'nt,  would'nt,  could'nt, 
&c.  Great  pains  were  taken  by  the  Spedlator  to  fhew  the 
barbarity  and  inelegance  of  that  manner  of  fpeaking  and 
writing.  The  endeavors  of  that  author,  and  others  of 
later  date,  have  been  fuccefsful  in  Britain,  and  have  ba- 
niflied  all  fuch  harfh  and  mutilated  phrafes  from  public 
fpeaking,  fo  that  they  remain  only  in  converfation,  and 
not  even  in  that  among  perfons  of  judgment  and  tafle. 
I  need  hardly  fay  how  far  this  is  from  being  the  cafe  in 
America. 

2.  I  knoiij'd\{\m  perfedly  well,  for,  I  knenv  him. 

3.  I  see  him  yefterday,  or  I  see  him  laft  week,  for  I 
saw  him.  In  Scotland  the  vulgar  fay,  I  seed  him  laft 
week. 

4.  This  here  report  of  that  there  committee.  Some 
merchants,  whom  I  could  name,  in  the  Engliih  Parlia- 
ment, whofe  wealth  and  not  merit  raifed  them  to  that  dig- 
nity, ufe  this  vulgarifm  very  freely,  andexpofe  themfelves 
to  abundance  of  ridicule  by  fo  doing. 

5.  Pie  was  drownded  \n  the  Delaware.  This  is  fo  com- 
mon, that  I  have  known  a  gentleman  reading  it  in  a  book 
to  a  company,  though  it  was  printed  drowned,  read 
drownded. 

6.  She  has  got  a  new  gownd.  This  and  the  former 
are  vulgarifms  in  converfation  only  ;  but  even  their  very 


^hc  bruld.  465 

irhprcper  and  u^.becoming  for  perfons  of  education.  In 
London  you  are  fometimes  afked  if  you  will  take  a  glafs 
of  "OJ/W,  for  wine.  Of  the  fame  nature  are  an  i m perti- 
nent y^//jr,  for/tV^u;  ;  waller,  for  wai/oiv  ;  ivhidtr,  lur 
iviridoiv. 

7.  Some  on*em,  one  onVm,  many  on'em.  This, 
though  frequent  in  the  northern  parts  of  England,  and 
fome  parts  of  America,  perhaps  is  rather  local  than  gene- 
ral.  This  indeed  may  be  the  cafe  with  feveral  others 
which  have  fallen  under  my  obfervation. 

8.  It  lays  in  Bucks  county,  for  it  lies,  8cc,  This  \z  not 
only  a  prevailing  vulgarifm  in  converfation,  but  has  ob- 
tained in  public  fpeaking,  and  may  be  often  feen  in  print* 
I  am  even  of  opinion  that  it  has  fome  chance  of  overcom- 
ing all  the  oppolition  made  to  it,  and  fully  ellablifhing  it- 
felf  by  cuflom,  which  is  the  final  arbiter  in  all  fuch  cafes. 
Lowth,  in  his  grammar,  has  been  at  much  pains  to  cor- 
real it ;  yet,  though  that  moil  excellent  treatife  has  been 
in  the  hands  of  the  public  for  many  years,  this  word  feems 
to  gain  inRead  of  lofing  ground.  The  error  arifes  from 
confounding  the  neuter  verb  to  ly  with  the  adlive  verb  to 
lay,  which  are  very  difTerent  in  the  prefent,  preterite  and 
participle.  The  firit  of  them  is  formed  thus,  ly,  lay,  lien 
or  Iain  ;   the  fecond,  lay,  laid,  laid. 

9.  I  tbhiks  it  will  not  be  long  before  he  come.  This  is 
a  London  vulgarifm,  and  yet  one  of  the  groffefk  kind.  To 
this  confufion  or  dlfagreement  of  the  perl'on,  may  be  add- 
ed the  difagreement  of  the  nufnber,  giving  a  verb  fingu- 
lar  to  a  nominative  plural,  which  is  more  frequent  than 
the  other,  as,  after  all  the  stories  that  has  been  told,  all 
the  reasons  that  bas  been  given. 

10.  Equally  as  well,  and  equally  as  good.  This  is 
frequent  in  conveifation  and  public  fpeaking.  It  is  alfo 
to  be  found  in  foine  publications,  of  which  it  is  needlefs  to 
name  the  authors;  but  it  isjufl  as  gocd  Englifli  to  lay, 
the  ?7iost  big/jest  mountain  in  Auierica. 

11.  Oae  of  the  moil  common  vulgarilms  or  blunders 
in  the  Englifli  language,  is  putting  the  preterite  for  the 
participle.  This  is  taken  particular  notice  of  by  Lowth, 
in  his  grammar,  as  after  he  had/t^//  down,  iot  Jcllai  ; 

Vol.  IV.  3  N 


466  The  Druid. 

and  in  the  fame  manner,  rose^  for  risen  ;  spoke ^  {oxspohen; 
V)rote^  for  ^written  ;  broke^  for  broken.  Some  of  thefe  ap- 
pear, as  he  obferves,  barbarous  to  fcholars ;  others  we  are 
fo  accuftomed  to,  that  they  give  little  offence  to  the  ear. 
Had  not  a  gentleman  threvj  out — the  reafons  of  proteft 
were  drew  up.  Thefe  are  offenfive,  but  you  may  meet 
with  fimilar  errors  even  in  good  authors,  fuch  as  I  had 
wrote^  I  had  spoke^  the  bone  was  broke.  The  bed  way  to 
judge  of  this  impropriety,  is  to  try  it  upon  a  word  that  has 
been  feldom  fo  mifufed,  as  for  example,  If  you  go  to  the 
battle  perhaps  you  will  be  slew, 

12.  Jufl:  as  you  rise  the  hill — little  or  no  bread-corn  is 
grown  in  this  country.  Thefe  are  fimilar  corruptions 
arifing  from  turning  neuter  into  adive  or  paflive  verbs. 
They  are  alfo,  if  I  am  not  millaken,  among  the  newefi: 
corruptions  of  the  language,  and  much  more  common  in 
England  than  America,  The  above  two  examples  are 
taken  from  Cook's  firft  voyage,  by  Hawkefworth,  where 
fbme  others  of  the  fame  kind  are  to  be  found. 

13.  I  sat  out  yefterday  morning,  for  I  fet  out.  The 
verb  fet  has  no  change  of  termination  ;  the  prefent,  pre- 
terite and  participle  being  the  fame.  I  fet  out  immedi- 
ately ;  I  fet  out  three  days  fooner  than  he  ;  after  I  had  fet 
out.  The  error  lies  in  taking  the  preterite  of  the  verb  sity 
and  making  ufe  of  it  for  the  pafi;  time  of  the  other — fit  has 
three  terminations,  fit,  fat,  fjtten. 

14.  He  faid  as  hov)  it  was  his  opinion.  This  abfurd 
pleonafm  is  more  common  in  Britain  than  in  America. 

The  third  clafs  confifts  of  vulgarifms  in  America  only. 
This  muft  be  underfiood,  fo  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ob- 
ferve,  and  perhaps  feme  of  them  are  local.  It  will  not  be 
neceffary  either  to  make  the  examples  on  this  head  nume- 
rous, or  to  fay  much  upon  them,  becaufe  the  introduction 
of  vulgarifms  into  writing  or  public  difcourfes  is  the  fame, 
whether  they  are  of  one  country  or  another. 

I.  I  have  not  done  it  yet,  but  am  juft  going  to.  This 
is  an  imperfect  conflrudion  ;  it  wants  the  words  do  it, 
Imperfe<5t  conftrudlions  are  the  blemifh  of  the  Englifli 
language  in  general,  and  rather  more  frequent  in  this 
country  than  in  England. 

/ 


The  Druid,  467 

2.  It  Is  partly  all  goxiQ,  it  is  mostly  all  gone.  This  is 
an  iibfurdiiy  or  barbarifm,  as  well  as  a  vulgarifm. 

3.  This  is  the  weapon  with  which  he  defends  himfelf 
when  he  is  attactcd^  lor  attacked  ;  or  according  to  the  ab- 
breviation, attacked. 

4.  As  I  told  Mr.  ,  for  as  I  told  yon.      I  hope  Mr. 

is  Well  this  niornins^.      What  is  Mr. 's  opinion 

upo'i  this  I'ubjed:  ?  This  way  of  fpeaking  to  one  who  is 
pre.LiU  in  the  third  perfon,  and  as  if  he  were  abfent,  is 
ufed  -n  this  country  by  way  of  refped.  No  fuch  thing  is 
done  in  Britain,  except  that  to  perfons  of  very  high  rank, 
they  fay  your  majefty,  your  grace,  your  lordfhip  ;  yet  even 
there  the  continuance  of  the  difcourfe  in  the  third  perfon 
is  not  cuiioniary. 

5.  I  have  been  to  Philadelphia,  for  at  or  in  Philadel- 
phia ;   I  have  been  /<9  dinner,  for  I  have  dined. 

6.  Walk  in  the  houfe,  for  into  the  houfe. 

7.  You  haiie  no  right  to  pay  it,  where  right  is  ufed  for 
what  lo.iic'ans  would  call  the  correlative  term  obligation. 

8.  A  spell  of  ficknefs,  a  long  spell^  a  bad  spelL  Per- 
haps this  word  is  borrowed  Iron  the  fea  dialect. 

9.  Eijery  of  thefe  Hates  ;  every  of  them  ;  every  of  us  ; 
for  every  one,  I  believe  the  word  every  is  ufed  in  this 
manner  in  lome  old  Englifli  writers,  and  alfo  in  fome 
old  laws,  but  not  in  modern  pradice.  The  thing  is  alfo 
improper,  becaufe  it  fliould  be  every  one  to  make  it 
ftridly  a  partitive,  and  fubjedl  to  the  fame  conilrudion, 
as  fome  of  them,  part  of  them,  many  of  them,  &.c.  yet 
it  mufl  be  acknowledged,  that  there  is  no  greater  impro- 
priety,  if  fo  great,  in  the  vulgar  conftrudion  of  ei^ery^ 
than  in  another  expreflion  very  common  in  both  coun- 
tries, viz.  all  of  them. 

Having  finilhed  thefe  two  clafles,  I  fhall  make  a  re- 
mark  or  two  upon  vulgarifms  in  general.  Probably 
many  will  think  and  fay,  that  it  would  be  a  piece  of  (lifT- 
nefs  or  aflfedation  to  avoid  them  wholly,  in  converfation 
or  common  difcourfe.  As  to  fome  of  thofe  which  have 
been  defcribed  above,  perhaps  this  may  be  admitted  ;  but 
as  to  the  greateil  part,  it  is  certainly  bed  (o  avoid  them 
wholly,  left  we  (hould  fall  into  them  inadvertently  where 


4^3  The  Druid, 

tliey  would  be  highly  improper.  If  a  gentleman  will  not 
imitate  a  peafant,  male  or  female,  in  faying  if  so  bCy  and 
forsooth^  and  many  other  fuch  phrafes,  becaufe  he  knows 
they  are  vulgarifms,  why  fhould  he  imitate  them  in  fay- 
ing equally  as  goody  or  I  see  him  yesterday^  but  becaufe 
he  does  not  know,  or  does  not  attend  to  the  impropriety  ? 

The  reader  is  alfo  defired  to  obferve,  that  we  are  not 
by  far  fo  much  in  danger  of  the  charge  of  afTeiSlation  for 
what  we  omit  faying,  as  for  what  we  do  fay.  When  a 
man  is  fond  of  introducing  hard  words,  or  lludies  a  nice 
or  pompous  diction,  he  brings  himfelf  immediately  into 
contempt ;  but  he  may  eafily  attain  a  cautious  habit  of 
?ivoidinglow  phrafes  or  vulgar  terms,  without  being  at  all 
liable  to  the  imputation  either  of  vanity  or  conflraint, 

I  conclude  with  obferving,  that  as  bombaft  and  empty 
fwe Iling  is  the  danger  to  which  thofe  are  expofed  who  aim 
at  fublimity,  fo  low  fentiments  and  vulgar  terms  are  what 
thofe  are  moft  in  danger  of  who  aim  at  fimplicity.  Now, 
as  it  is  my  intention,  in  the  courfe  of  thefe  papers,  to  fet 
a  mark  of  reprobation  upon  every  afFed^ed  and  fantallic 
mode  ofexpreifion,  and  to  recommend  a  pure,  and,  as  it 
may  be  called,  claffic  fimplicity,  it  is  the  more  neceffary 
to  guard  the  reader  againll  that  low  and  grovelling  man- 
ner which  IS  fometime§  iiiiftaken  fgr  it,^ 


ne  Druid.  469 

NUMBER    VII. 


S  I  R, 


THE  fourth  clafs  of  Improprieties  con  fid  of  local 
phrases  or  terms.  By  thefe  I  mean  fach  vulj2;arirms 
as  prevail  in  one  part  of  a  country  and  not  in  another. 
There  is  a  much  greater  variety  of  thefe  in  Britain  than 
in  America.  From  the  complete  populations  of  the  coun- 
try, multitudes  of  common  people  never  remove  to  any 
diflance  from  where  they  were  born  and  bred.  Hence 
there  are  many  chara6leriftic  diflintlions,  not  only  in 
phrafeology,  but  in  accent,  drefs,  manners,  he.  not  only 
between  one  county  and  another,  but  between  different 
cities  of  the  fame  county.  There  is  a  county  in  the 
North  of  England,  very  few  of  the  natives  of  which  can 
pronounce  the  letter  r,  as  it  is  generally  pronounced  in  the 
other  parts  of  the  kingdom. 

But  if  there  is  a  much  greater  number  of  local  vulgar, 
ifms  in  Britain  than  America,  there  is  alfo  for  this  very 
reafon,  much  lefs  danger  of  their  being  ufed  by  gentle- 
men or  fcholars.  It  is  indeed  implied  in  the  very  nature 
of  the  thing,  that  a  local  phrafe  will  not  be  ufed  by  any 
but  the  inhabitants  or  natives  of  that  part  of  the  country 
where  it  prevails.  However,  I  am  of  opinion,  that  even 
local  vulgarifms  find  admiflion  into  the  difcourfe  of  peo- 
ple of  better  rank  more  eafily  l.ere  than  in  Europe. 

1.  He  improved  the  horfe  for  ten  days.  This  is  ufed 
in  fome  parts  of  New-England  for  riding  the  horfe. 

2.  Raw  salad  is  ufed  in  the  South  for  salad.  N.  B. 
There  is  no  falad  boiled. 

3.  C/junks,  that  is  brands,  half  burnt  wood.  This  is 
cuilomary  in  the  middle  colonies. 

4.  He  is  considerable  of  a  furveyor,  considerable  of  it 
may  be  found  in  that  country.  Tnis  manner  of  fpeaking 
prevails  in  the  northern  parts. 

5.  He  will  once  in  a  "vjhiky  i.  e.  sometimes  get  drunk. 
The  middle  Hates, 


470  l^he  Druid, 

6.  Shall  I  have  occasion^  i.  e.  opportunity  to  go  over 
the  ferry.     New- England. 

7.  Tbris  ufed  for  carry ^  in  fome  of  the  fouthern  dates. 
The  fifth  clafs  of  improprieties  may  be  called  common 

blunders  through  ignorance.  In  this  they  differ  from  the 
former  clafies,  that  the  fimilarity  of  one  word  to  another, 
in  pronunciation  or  derivation,  makes  ignorant  people 
confound  them  and  ufe  them  promifcuoufly,  or  fometimes 
even  convert  them  and  ufe  them  each  in  the  other's 
room.     The  following  are  examples. 

1.  Eminent  for  imminent.  How  often  do  we  hear  that 
a  man  was  in  eminent  danger, 

2.  Ingenious  for  ingenuous.  How  common  is  it  to  fay 
he  is  an  ingenious  young  man — he  is  a  young  man  of  a 
very  ingenious  difpofition.  they  are  both  Englifli  words. 
Ingenious  fignifies  of  good  capacity  ;  ingenuous  fignifies 
fjmple,  upright,  fmcere  ;  ingenuity,  however,  the  word 
that  feems  to  be  derived  from  ingenuous,  is  ufed  in  both 
fenfcjs,  fometimes  for  fairnefs,  opennefs,  candor  ;  fome- 
times for  capacity  or  acutenefs  of  invention.  I  fliould 
think  this  lall,  though  done  by  good  authors,  to  be  con- 
trary to  the  analogy  of  the  language,  efpecially  as  we 
have  two  words  for  thefe  oppofite  ideas  regularly  derived 
from  the  correfpondent  adjedtives,  ingenioufnefs  and  in- 
genuoufnefs, 

3.  Three  or  four  times  successfully^  for  successi-oely^ 
This  is  a  blunder  through  ignorance,  very  common  among 
the  lower  fort  of  people  in  England, 

4.  Intelligible  for  intelligent.  It  was  a  very  intelligi- 
ble perfon  v/ho  told  me, 

5.  Conjisticate^  for  confiscate^  The  moll  ignorant  of 
the  vulgar  only  ufe  this  phrafe. 

6.  Fictions  ^or fictitious.  That  is  no  more  than  ?ifictious 
llory.  This  is  ufed  by  people  fomewhat  fuperior  to  thofe 
who  would  ufe  the  former. 

7.  Veracity  for  credibility.  This  is  not  a  blunder  in 
converfation  only,  But  in  ipeaking  and  writing,  I  have 
fome  doubt  of  the  veracity  of  this  fa6l,  fays  a  certain  au- 
thor. Veracity  is  the  character  of  the  perfon  ;  truth  or 
credibility,  of  the  (lory  told.     The  fame  is  the  cafe  with 


The  Druids  4^j 

all,  pr  mofl  of  the  words,  of  fimilar  formation,  capacity, 
rapacity,  tenacity.  Thefe  all  are  api)lied  to  the  perfoa 
or  the  difpofition,  not  to  a  particuhir  adion  of  the  one,  or 
effed  of  the  other.  We  fay,  a  man  of  capacity — this 
work  is  a  proof  of  capacity,  but  not  the  capacky  of  this 
performance  ;  and  fo  olthe  relh 

8.  Susceptive,  for  susceptible.  I  mud  acquaint  the 
reader,  that  alter  I  had  marked  this  word  as  an  example  of 
the  miilakcs  men  fall  into  from  ignorance,  I  found  it  in 
fome  Englifh  writers,  who  cannot  be  called  altogether  con- 
temptkble,  and  alfo  in  Johnfon's  Dictionary.  As  to  the 
laft  of  thefe,  I  fliall  have  occafion  to  make  a  remark  or 
two  upon  that  lexicographer  under  the  next  clafs,  and 
therefore  fliall  fay  nothing  of  it  now.  As  to  the  other 
particular,  I  obferve,  that  though  the  word  is  ufed  by 
fome  writers,  it  is  not  only  contrary  to  general  praclice, 
but  contrary  to  the  analogy  of  the  tongue.  All  the  ad- 
jedives  ending  in  ive  are  of  an  ac\ive,  and  thofe  ending 
in  able  or  ible  of  a  palTive  nature,  as  adive,  decifive,  com- 
inunicative,  fignificative,  demonftrative,  and  on  the  con- 
trary, able,  capable,  communicable,  demonftrable,  con- 
temptible. 

9.  They  are  fo  very  dupHcit  that  I  am  afraid  they  will 
rescind  ^rom  what  they  have  done.  Plere  are  two  errors 
in  one  fentence.  Dup/icit  is  an  adjcdive  made  by  guefs 
from  duplicity,  and  rescijid  is  miftaken,  by  the  llkencfs  of 
found,  for  recede. 

10.  Detect^  for  dissect.  A  lady,  in.  a  certain  place  at 
dinner,  alked  a  gentleman  if  he  would  be  fo  good  as  de- 
reel  that  piece  of  meat  for  her.  To  thefe  1  might  add  a 
long  lifi:  of  errors,  in  which  ignorance  or  oriiiography 
makes  a  vitious  pronunciation,  and  that  pronunciation 
continued  by  the  fame  ignorance,  makes  a  vulgr.r  v.-ord 
in  place  of  the  true  one,  of  which  take  one  examplr — A 
gentleman  writes  to  his  friend,  that  on  fuch  a  duy  tl;ey 
had  a  fmart  scrimitch,  for  skinnisb. 

The  fixth  clafs  confills  of  cant  phrafes,  introduced  into 
public  fpeaking  or  compofition.  The  meaning  of  cant 
phrafes,  is  pretty  well  known,  having  been  fully  explain- 
ed as  long  ago  as  the  days  of  Mr.  Addifon.     Tliey  rife 


47  i^  ^he  Druid, 

occafionally,  fometlmes  perhaps,  from  the  happy  Or  flngii-i 
lar  application  cf  a  metaphor  or  alltifion,  which  is  there- 
fore repeated  and  gets  into  general  ufe,  fometimes  from  the 
whim  or  caprice  of  particular  perfons  in  coining  a  term. 
They  are  in  their  nature  temporary  and  fometimes  locaL 
Thus,  it  is  often  faid,  a  man  is  taken  in,  he  is  bilked,  he 
is  bit^  that  was  a  hit  indeed,  that  is  not  the  thing,  it  was 
quue  the  thing.  Innumerable  others  will  occur  to  every 
reader.  Sometimes  the  cant  confids  in  the  frequent  and 
iinneceiTary  repetition,,  or  improper  application  of  a  word 
that  is  otherwife  unexceptionable.  Thus,  when  "oast  was 
in  repute,  a  thing  was  vaiUy  good,  and  vallly  bad,  vallly 
pretty  and  vailly  ugly,  vallly  great  and  vaftly  little. 

It  is  worth  while,  in  remarking  on  the  ftate  of  the  lan^ 
guage,  to  reflect  a  little  on  the  attack  made  by  Addifon^ 
Steel,  Swift,  Pope,  and  Arbuthnot,  on  many  of  thefe  cant 
phrafes  in  their  day,  fuch  as  bite,  bamboozle,  pof.  rep. 
mob,  &.C.  Some  of  them  they  fucceeded  in  banifhing 
from)  or  rather  prevented  from  being  ever  admitted  into 
public  difcourfes  and  elegant  writing,  fuch  as  bite,  bam- 
boozle, &c»  fome  they  baniftied  from  all  polite  converfa- 
tion,  fuch  as  pof.  rep.  plenipo.  and  fome  have  kept  their 
ground,  have  been  adniitted  into  the  language^  and  are 
freely  and  gravely  ufed  by  authors  of  the  firftrank,  fuch  as 
mob.  This  was  at  hrd  a  cant  abbreviation  of  mobile  vul" 
gus,  and  as  fuch  condemned  by  the  great  men  above  men- 
tioned ;  but  time  has  now  ftamped  it  with  authority,  the 
memory  of  its  derivation  is  loft,  and  when  an  hifloriari 
fays  an  unruly  mob  was  allembled  in  the  ftreets,  or  he  was 
torn  in  pieces  by  the  mob^  no  idea  of  any  thing  low  and 
ludicrous  is  conveyed  to  the  mind  of  the  reader. 

I  promifed,  under  this  head,  to  make  a  remark  upon 
Johnfon's  Dictionary.  It  is  a  book  of  very  great  value 
on  feveral  accounts,  yet  it  may  lead  ignorant  perfons  in- 
to m.any  miilakes.  He  has  collected  every  word,  good  or 
bad,  that  was  ever  ufed  by  any  Englilh  writer  ;  and  though 
he  has,  in  the  larger  Didtionary,  given  his  authorities  in 
full,  yet  that  is  not  fufficient  to  dlftinguilh  them.  There 
are  inllances  in  which  this  may  be  the  very  caufe  of  wrong 
judgment.     If  an  author  of  reputation  has  committed  a 


Vje  Druid.  4yj 

fingle  error,  his  authority  fhould  not  be  made  ufe  of  to 
fanaify  that  error — fometimes,  alfo,  the  author's  defigu 
is  miflaken.  In  the  abridgement  of  that  Diaionary,  at 
the  word  bamboozle,  you  find  added,  a  loiv  ivord ;  but 
the  authority  is  Arbuthnot :  now  would  not  any  man  ima- 
gine, who  was  not  othervvife  informed,  that  Arbuthnot 
was  a  low  writer ;  whereas,  in  fa6t,  he  ufed  that  word 
only  to  difgracc  and  put  it  out  of  pradlice.  The  lexico- 
grapher would  have  a6led  more  wifely  not  to  have  men- 
tioned the  word  at  all. 

It  would  be  very  eafy  to  make  a  large  colle£lion  of  cant 
or  low  phrafes  at  prefcnt  in  ufe,  fuch  as  helter  fkelter, 
topfy  turvy,  upfide  down,  the  Devil  to  pay,  at  fixes  and 
fevens,  put  to  his  trumps,  flung  all  in  a  heap.  Every 
cjtie  of  thefe  has  been  feen  in  print,  and  many  others  of 
the  fame  flamp,  as  well  as  heard  in  converfation. 

"^t  is  not  long  fince  I  read,  in  a  piece  publifhed  by  a 
fenfible  writer  in  this  city,  '  low  methods  of  shamming 
Abraham^  Now,  pray  what  is  (hamming  Abraham  I 
With  fome  difficulty  I  have  underftood,  that  it  is  a  cant 
phrafe  among  feamen,  for  pretending  ficknefs  when  they 
are  well,  and  other  fetches  of  the  fame  kind.  I  fhould  be 
glad  to  know  how  a  foreigner  could  tranflate  this  expref- 
fion  into  his  own  language. 

Under  the  head  of  cant  phrafes,  I  would  include  all 
prpverbial  or  common  fayings  introduced  into  the  lan- 
guage, as  well  as  trite  and  beaten  allufions.  Of  the  firll 
fort  are  thefe,  I  want  to  put  the  faddle  upon  che  right 
horfe,  the  laboring  oar  lies  upon  you;  of  the  I'econd,  the 
following,  that  is  only  ^r<^//*^  dictum^  the  Supreme  Being 
by  his  almighty ^^^  I  will  not  pay  any  regard  to  his  ipse 
dixit.  All  thefe  are  taken  from  printed  piecec,  fome  of 
them  by  authors  not  contemptible;  the  lafl  of  them,  his 
ipse  dixit,  is  of  the  mod  frequent  ufe,  and  yet  is  the  mod 
pedantic  and  puerile  of  the  whole.  I  conclude  with  ob- 
ferving,  that  a  cant  phrafe,  if  it  do  not  die  by  the  way, 
has  three  flages  in  its  progrcfs.  It  is,  firil,  a  cant  phrafe  ; 
fecondly,  a  vulgarifm ;  thirdly,  an  idiom  of  the  language. 
Some  expire  in  one  or  other  of  the  two  firft  ftages  ;  but  if 
they  outlive  thefe,  they  are  eftabliflied  forever.     1  have 

Vol.  I.  O 


474  ^ke  Druid. 

given  an  example  of  this  above,  in  the  word  moh ;  and  I 
think  topsy  tur'vy  and  upside  down  have  very  nearly  at- 
tained the  lame  privilege. 

The  fevemh  clafs  confifts  o{ personal  blunders,  that  is 
to  fay,  efFe6ls  of  ignorance,  and  want  of  precifion  in  an 
author,  which  are  properly  his  own,  and  not  reducible 
to  any  of  the  heads  above  mentioned.  I  iliall  give  an 
example  or  two  of  this  kind,  becaufe  it  will  make  the 
meaning  of  the  former  clafies  more  clear.  The  examples 
follow. 

1.  *  The  members  of  a  popular  government  fhould  be 
continually  availed  of  the  fituation  and  condition  of  every 
part.'  The  author  of  this  did  not  know  that  avail  is  nei- 
ther an  adlive  nor  paflive,  but  a  reciprocal  verb ;  a  man  is 
faid  to  avail  himself  of 'm^  thing,  but  not  to  avail  others, 
or  be  availed  by  them. 

2.  '  A  degree  of  ditlentions  and  oppofitions  under  fon^e 
circumllances,  and  a  political  lethargy  under  others,  im- 
pend certain  ruin  to  a  free  flate."  Here  a  neuter  verb  is 
made  an  adlive  one.  I  have  before  given  fome  examples 
in  which  this  is  done  commonly,  but  in  the  prefent  cafe 
it  belongs  to  this  author  alone. 

3.  '  I  fhould  have  let  your  performance  fmk  into  silent 
disdain,^  A  performance  may  fall  into  contempt,  or 
fink  into  oblivion,  or  be  treated  with  difdain,  but  to  make 
it  fink  into  silent  disdain^  is  a  very  crude  expreffion  in- 
deed. 

4.  He  is  a  man  of  mod  accomplished  abilities.  A 
man  may  \/t  faid  to  be  of  diflinguifhed  abilities  or  great 
accompU(hm?nts,  but  accomplished  abilities  is  wholly 
new. 

5:.  '  I  have  a  total  obje<n:ion  againft  this  meafure.'  I 
fuppofe  the  gendeman  meant,  that  he  objedled  to  the 
whole,  and  every  part  of  it.  It  was  only  an  irregular 
marriage  of  the  adjedive  to  the  wrong  fubftantive. 

6.  ''  Kxi  axiom  ^.z  well  eftablifhed  as  any  Euclid  ever 
demonftrated,"  Now,  it  happens  that  Euclid,  notwith- 
Handing  his  great  love  of  demonftration,  never  demon- 
llrjited  axioms,  but  took  them  for  granted. 


The  Druid,  4^^ 


1  hope  the  reader  will  forgive  me  for  not  referring  to 
the  treatifes  from  which  thefe  examples  are  taken.  They 
were  in  general  anonymous  ;  and  as  it  is  probable  many 
of  the  authors  are  alive,  and  may  be  of  further  ufe  to  their 
countr)^,  fo  being  wholly  unknown  to  me,  wiihcut  ihc 
lead  degree  of  envy  or  malevolence,  I  mean  not  to  injure 
but  improve  them. 


1^  I  N  I  S. 


SUBSCRIBERS'    J^  A  M  E  S. 


Ncuj  -  Ha  mpshi  re . 

Hon.  Samuel  Livermore,  Efq. 
Col.  Mofes  Woodward 
Rev.  Elilha  Thayer,  Kingflon 
Mr.  Charles  Pearce  (2  copies) 
Richard  Evans 

Massachusetts. 

His  Excel.  John  Adams,  Pre- 
fident  of  the    United  States 
(2  copies) 
Hon.  John  Lowell,  Efq.  Rox- 

bury 

Samuel  Philips,  Efq.  An- 

dover 

Oliver  Wendell,  Efq.  Bof- 

ton 

Jofiah  Quincy,  Efq.      do. 

William  Phillips,  Efq.  do. 

Francis  Dana,  Efq.       do. 
Rev.   David    Tappan,   D.    D. 

Cambridge 
Rev.    Jofeph    Eckley,   D.   D. 

Boflon 
David  Hyflop,  Efq.  Brookline 
Rev.  Thaddeus  Mafon  Harris, 

Dorchcfter 
Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,   Haverhill 
Mr.  Jofeph  Hurd,  Charleflown 

Oliver  Holden,  do. 

Rev.  Jedediah  Morfe,      do. 
Ifaac  Warren,  do. 

John  Davis,  Efq.  do. 

Hon.  Samuel  Dexter,  Efq. 
Hon.  Silas  Lee,  Efq. 
Hon.  William  Shepard,  Efq. 
Mr.  John  Larkin,  Charlcitown 


Eliphalet  Pearfon,  ProfciTor  in 
Harvard  Univcrfity  at  Caiu- 
bridu;c 


Rhode- hlatuL 
Hon.  John  Brown 
Hon.  Chrillopher  G.  Champlln 

Vermont, 
Hon.L.R.  Morris 

Connecticut, 

MefTrs.  Hudfon  and  (ioodwln, 
bookftllers,  ILirtford,  (6  co- 
pies) 
Rev.   Matthias    Burnet,  Xor- 

walk 
Rev.  Timothy  Dwij^ht,  Prcfi- 

dcnt  of  Yale  C()lleG;e 
Rev.  Samuel  BhUchfon!,  Strat- 
field 

Nei\i-York, 
His  Excel.   John  Jay,  Gover- 
nor 
Hon.  James  Watfon 
Hon.  Jonas  Piatt 
Hon.  John  Thomfon 
Rev.  Dr.  Jolm  Kodgers 
John  R.  B.  Rodrcrs,  M.  D. 
John  Broome,  Efcj. 
Samuel  Bayard,  VX.\,  Xcw  Ro- 

chellc 
Hon.  I".f;bcrt  RenHm 
Hon.  Jacob  Radcliffc 
Hon.  James  Keat 
Hon  Morgan  Lewis 


SUBSCMIBKllS'  NAMES. 


Rev.  Nathan  WoodhulK  New- 
town, Long-Ifland 

Mr.  Cornelius  Davis,  bookfel- 
ler 

Mr.  John  Mills 

William  Neilfon,  merchant 

Rev.  Georg-e  Faitoute,  Jamai- 
ca, Long--iriand 

Mr.  John  Bingham 

Rev.  Methufelah  Baldvvin 

Mr.  Leonard  Blucher 

tSavid  Hofack,  M.  D. 

Mr.  George  F.Hopkins,  book- 
feller,  (6  copies) 
James  Hyer 

Ret.  Samuel  Miller 

Dr.  Peter  Wilfoil,  profefibr  in 
Columbia  College 

Mr.  George  Janev/ay 

Tunis  JoraimaiijBrooldytl 

Nicholas  R.  Cowenhoven,  Efq. 
do. 

Peter  Van  Pelt,  fludent  of  di- 
vinity, Flatbufli 

Mr.  Comfort  Sand,  do. 
Albert  Oblenis,  do. 

Rev.  Philip  Duryee,  Narrows 
George  Barculoo,     do. 

Jame-6  Ingiis,  fludent  of  divi- 
nity 

Mr.  Abraham  Labagh 

Rev.  Mr.  Romeyn,  Schenecta- 
dy. 

Rev.  Robert  Smith,  do. 

Mr.  Lather  Halfey,  do. 

Cornelius  D.Schamahorn, 
do. 

John  L.  Zalinfiiie,    do. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards,   pre- 
fidentof  Union  College,  do. 

Mr.  John  C.  Toll,  do. 

Harman  FL  Vidder,     do. 
Dirk  Van  In  gen, 

Jofeph  C.  Yates,  Efq. 

Mr.  Robert  Loague, 
James  Adair, 

Rev-  Samuel  Smith,  Saratoga 

Rev.   James  V.   C.   Romayn, 
GreenbuQi 

Rev.  Winflow  Paige,  Schayti- 
rokc 


do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


Rev.    Abraham    Van    Horn* 
Johnfon  townlhip 

Rev.  Robert  M'Dowell,  Nor- 
thumberland 

Andrew  Yates,  profeffor  of  U- 
nion  College,  Schene^ady 

Mr.  Silas  Wood 

Col.  Henry  Rutgers 

Mr.  Mofes  Rogers,  merchant 

Hon.  John  S.  Hobert 

Mr.    William   W.    Wooifey, 
merchant, 

Samuel  Ofgcod,  Efq. 

Thomas  Mackanefs,  Efq. 

Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers 

Col.  Anthony  Poft 

Rev.  John  FL  Livingflon,  D.  D. 

William  S.  Johnfon,  prefident 
of  Columbia  College 

Mr.    James    R.    Smith,  mer- 
chant 

James  Scott^  merchant 

Flon.  John  Lanfmg,  jun. 

Rev.  William  Linn,  D.  D. 

John  Keefe,  Efq. 

Mr,  Divie  Bithune,  merchant 

Daniel  Phcenix,  Efq.  chamber- 
laine  of  the  city 

Mr.  Charles  Snowden,  printer 

Mrs.  Sarah  Malcom 

Mr;  Andrew  Smith,  merchant 
James  Morrifon,       do. 
John  Thompfon,       do. 
Alexander  M'Gregor,  dor 
George  Scott,  do. 

Charles  Durgee,       do. 
Colin  Giliefpie,         do. 

Richard  Variek,   Efq.  mayor 
ot  the  city 

Mr.  Thomas  Buchanan,  mer- 
chant 

Rev.  Abraham  Beach 

Rev.  John  M'Knight,  D.  -D. 

Mr,  John   Turner,  jun.   mer- 
chant 

Anthony    L.    Bleecker,    . 
merchant 

John  I'hompfon 
Richard  Cunningham 

Rev.  David  S.  Bogart,  A.  M. 

I      Southampton,  I^.  L 


SUBSCRIBERS'  N A  HIES. 


Mr.  David  Auchenoote,  mer- 
chant 

Thomas  Stevenfoii 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hallet 
Rev.  John  Kunze,  D.  D. 
Mr.  John  Murray,  merchant 

William  Willbn,     do. 
Hon.    Ezra   L.    Hommidieii, 

Southold,  L.  I. 
Hon.  Dirck  Ten  Brocck,   Al- 
bany- 
Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott,  do. 
Mr.   David  Gordon,  merchant 
Rev.  John  B,  Romeyn,  Rhin- 

beck 
Rev.  John  B.  Johnfon,  Albany 
Mr.  Evert  Duyckinck   (8    co- 
pies) 
Meffrs.  C.    R.  Sc  G.   Webfter 
Albany  (24  copies) 

Brown  k  Slanlbury  (4  do.) 
INIr.  William  Barlas       (3  do.) 

John  Rodgers 
Rev.  George  Strebeck 

John  Williams 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Holky 

Alexander  Kelly 

Ne%\)- Jersey. 

His  Excel.  Richard  Howell, 
Governor 

Hon.  Aaron  Kitchcll 

Hon.  John  Ccndit 

Hon.  James  Linn 

Hon.  Jonathan  Dayton 

Hon.  Franklin  Davenport 

^on.  Elifha  Boudinot,  New- 
Ark 

Rev.  Samuel  S.  Smith,  prcfi- 
dent  of  the  college  at  Prince- 
ton 

Rev.  John  Duryee,  Raritan 

Rev.  Afa  Hilyer,  South-Hano- 
ver 

Mr.  William  Griffith,  Bur- 
lington. 

Aaron  Woodruff,  Trenton 
Robert  Hunt 

James  Ewing,  Elq. 

ifaac  Smith,  Elq. 

Samuel  Leake,  Efq, 

^l\\  Peter  Gordon 


John  Beatty,  Efq. 
Mr.  B.  Smith 

J.  Rhea 
Rev.  Thomas   Armftrong 
Lucius  Horatio  Stockton,  Efq 
Rev.  Andrew  Hunter 
Mr.  Thomas  Vardlcy 

John  Morris 

George    M'Gufiin,    Bor- 
den ton 

A.  Ilunn,  do. 

John  Rutherford,  do. 

Daniel  Marfli,  EfTex 

George    Anderfon,     Bur- 


linj^ton 


Ephraim  Martin,  Middle- 


fex 

John  Cutwater,  Bergen 
John  Lambert,   Hunting- 
ton 

Abraham    Kitchel,    Mor- 
riftown 

William  Parrett,  Salem 
Aflier  Holmes, Monmouth 
Henry  Tophagen,  Hafen- 
fack 

L.W.  Stockton,  Fleming- 
ton 

Peter  Hwnt,  Lamberton 
Azarias  Hunt,      do. 
George  Henry,  do. 
Jolhua  L.  Howell,  Wood- 
bury 

J.  A.  Pcarfon,  Princeton 
Ifrael  S.  Harris,  Somcrfet 
Frederick  Frelinghuyfen, 
do. 

Peter  Hanfon,  Trenton 
John  M'Lean,  Princeton 
John  N.  Simpfon,    do. 
Connant  Cone,  do. 

Thomas  P.  Johnfon,  do.  (2 
copies) 

John  Thompfon 
Nicholas  Evt-rcl 
Chiirlcs  T.  Mercer 
Chriaopher  H.  Strykcr 
John  W.  Smith 
J.  H.  Hobcrt 
John  M'Mullin,  Bcnfaleni 
Robert  Voorhus,  Prince- 
ton 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES.. 


Mr.  John  Harrifon 

Richard  Stockton 

Frederick  Beafley 

Henry  Kollock 

W,  Waftiington 

Thomas  C.  Alexander 

Francis  Sinnickfon 

John  G.  Gamble 

Adam  S.  Dandridge 

William  Knox,  jun. 

\Vlilmot  S.  Gebbes 

Thomas  M.  Bailey 

Richard:  D*  Bay  ley 

Jofeph  Granier 

John  Middleton 

j^dward  Watts 

Edmund  Penn 

William  B.  Wilfon 

Henry  Watkins 

Charles  Lewis 

James  Caldwell 

John  Brown,  jun. 

John  Johnfon 

Noah  Crane 

Samuel  Wimbifh 

Afa  K.  Lewis 

John  W.  Ramfay 

Clement  Early 

George  Emlen 

John  Hand 

Ennion  W.  Skeltpn 

Littleton  Robins,  jun.. 

R.ichard  H.  Ilenderfon 

Edmund  Bruyn, Princeton 

Eiias  Elmaker 

James  Bunyan 

Chriltopher  Longflreet 

Van  Pol  an  en 
Gen.  Jofeph  Bloomfield,  Bur- 
lington 
Mr.  William  Cox,  jun. 

Georp;e  Painter 
".Vlifs  Lydia  Riche 
Kev.  C,  C.  Wharton 
>VIr.  Peter  Hill 

Chriftian  Heifs 

^Villiam  Griffith 

Robert  Hunt,  Trenton 
Capt.  Abraham  Gurlain,  do. 
Gen  James  Giles,  Bridgetown 
ilev.  Jofeph  Clark,  Brunfwick 
Hon.  Andrew  Kirkpatrick 
lion  William  Patterfon 


John  Bayard  Efq. 
John  Neilfon,  Efq. 
Dr.  Mofes  Scott 
Mr.   James  Richmond,  mer- 
chant 

William  Lawfon,  do. 

Perez  Rowley,  do. 

John  Pool,  do. 

Ifaac  W.  Crane,  Efq.  attorn^ey 

at  law 
William  P.  Deare,  Efq.  do* 
Mr.  John  Plumb 

John  A.  Myer 
Dr.  Adam  Anderfon 
Hon.  James  H.  Imlay 
John  Imlay,  Efq. 
Robert  Montgomery,  Efq. 
Col.  Samuel  Quay,  merchant 
Mr.  Richard  Horfefull 

Henry  Harper 
Dr.  Charles  Smith 
Mr.  Jacob  Klady 

Simon  Hyllier 

Andrew  Lyfle 

Anthony  W.  White 

Jacob  Hendrickfon 

John  Quay 
Capt.  Job  Stockton 
Mr.  Garret  D.  Wikoff 
Rev..  George  S.  Woodhuli 
Mr.  Jacob  Fifher 
Rev..  David  Barclay 
Mr.  Abraham  Vaji  ^efte 
Rev.  Ira  Condi6l 
Rev.  Elias.  Van  Bunfcoptcn.. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Dubois 
Rev.  James  S.Cannon 
Rev.  Flenry  Pothemus 
Rev.  John  M.  Van  Harlingen. 
Rev.  John  S.  Vredenburgh 
Rev.  Ifaac  Van  Dozen 
Rev.  Matthew  La  Rue 
Rev.  Benjamin  Lindfay 
Mr.  James  Schureman 

Frederick  Van  Dyke 

John  Harrifon,  Princeton 

James  Hamilton 

Edmund  Elmendorf  (2  co- 
pies) 
Cliofophic  Society  at  the  Naf* 

fau-Hall 
Mils  Grace  Little 


SUHSCRIBERS'  .\rAMES, 


Mifs   Mary  Cuthbert 
JNIr    Daniel  Agnew 
Jofias  Fergulbn 
Benjamin    B.    Hopkins, 
.     Trenton  (2  copies) 
Mifs  Catharine  Smith,  do. 
Rev.  William  Boyd 
Rev.    Ebcnezer    Grant,  New- 

Brimlwick 
Dr.   Samuel   Kennedy,   Hard- 

vvich 
Gen. William  Helm,  Hackett's 

Town 
Jofepii  Gafton,  Efq.  Hardwick 
Abraham  8c   Iluac  Shaver,  do. 
Mr.  George  John  Armftrong, 
do. 

iNeh^miah  Dunham,    do. 
Rev.  Jofeprh  Rue,  Hopewell 
Rev  David  Comfort,  Kin.^ilon 
Kcv.  Matthew  L.  Perrie,  Mon- 
mouth 
Mr.  David  BiOiop,  Amwcll 
Rev.  John  Cornell,  AlleKtown 
Mr.    Benjamin     B.    Hopkins, 
Princeton 

Henry  G.  Wifner,  do. 
Jonathan  Elmer,  M.  D. 
Elias  Boudinot,  Efq. 
Mr.  Ifaac  Anderfon 

Thomas  Olden,  jun. 
Robert  G.  Johnfon 
Rev.  Holway  Hunt 

Pennsyhania, 
His  Excel.  'J  homas   M'Kean, 

Governor 
Hon.  William  Bingham 
Hon.  James  Rofs 
Hon.  Roljert  Brown 
Hon.  Thomas  Hartley, 
Hon.  Jofeph  Heiller 
Hon.  John  A.  Hanna 
Hon.  Peter  Muhlenberg 
Elon.  John  SmiHe 
Hon.  Robert  Wain 
Hon.  H.  Woods 
James  M'Henry,  Efq.  fccreta 

ry  of  war,  Phikidelphia 
Timothy  Pickerin^^,  Efq. 
Rev.  Aflibel  Green 
Rev.  William  Marflial 

Vol.  I. 


Rev.  Jacob  Janeway 
Rev.  William  Wh'iic,    bilhop 
Rev.  Wi Ilium  Rogers 
Rev.  James  Abercrombie 
Hev.  John  B.  Linn 
Rev.  Samuel  Mat^aw 
Rev.  Samuel  Bluir 
Pvev.  John  Anderfon 
Rev.  John   B.  Paterfon,  Dan- 
ville 
Rev.    William    I^atla,    Great- 

Valley 
Rev.  Samuel    Ralfton,   Wafh- 

ington  county 
Rev.  James   Dunlap,    Fayette 

county 
Ebfnezer  Hazard,  Efq.  Phila- 
delphia 
Benjamin  Riifh,  M.  D. 
V.'illiam  Shippen,  M.  D. 
John  C.  Otto,  M.  D. 
Mrs.  Mary  Moves 
Mr.  William  Haflet 
Cornelius  W.  Staftbrd 
Mrs.  M'Cullough 
Samuel  I'inlay 
Jofeph  K.Milnor 
^VilIiam  Smiiev 
Richard  Fohvefl 
Mrs.  Smith 
Mr,  James  A.  NTcalc 
John  Lock  wood 
WUliam  Mill 
Francis  Thomkms 
Charles  W.Goldlborough 
Joh»i  O'Conncr 
Jofeph  Parrot 
Robcr(  Ramon 
Hugh  Jackfon 
Robert  Smith 
E])enczer  Fergufon,  Efq. 
Mr.  John  J^frawbridge 
John  W.  Vancleavc,'  Efq. 
Mr.  Francis  Shallus 
James  FinKy 
Jofeph  Den  nil! 
Jauies  Hobinfjti 
Samuel  M^Clrmon 
George  Mini  in 
John  H.  Hohart 
David  Jackfon,  j 
George  Barclay  ,j 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


Mr.  En  OS  Bronfou 

Jeffe  Wain 
Edward  Pennington,  Efq. 
Mr.  John  Ormrod 

Silas  Engles,  jun. 
John  Harris 
John  C.  Kelfey 
Mrs  Bitha  Earl 
Ifaac  Heylin,  M.  D. 
Mr.  Charles  Evans 
Philip  Dick 
John  Han  ley- 
David  Hall 
William  M'Culley 
Thomas  Jacquet 
George  Phillips 
Thomas  Wotherfpoon 
Hugh  Kelley 
Francis  Peoples 
Samuel  Hodgdon 
W  illiam  Buckell 
H.  H.  Brackenridge,  Efq. 
Mr.  John  Levis,  Springfield 
Rev.  Charles  Nelbit,  prefident 
of  Dickinfon    college,  Car- 
lifle 
Mrs.  Ifabella  Oliver 
Rev.  John  Linn 
Mr.  Armflrong  Brandon 

Charles  M'Clure 
William  Lyon,  Efq. 
Mr.  John  P.  Thomfon 

Archibald  Loudon 
Rev.    Thomas    M'Pherrin, 

Franklin  county 
Mr.  George  Crawford 
John  Wray 
Thomas  Cellar 
John  Work 
William  Duffield 
James  Wray 
William  Davis 
John  Scott 
James  Buchanan 
Patrick  Campbell 
Henry  Work 
John  King 
Jofeph  Vanlear 
George  Acre 
John  Johnfon 
John  and  David  Kennedy 
Hon.  Jam  is  Riddle 


Hon.  James  Chambers 
Mr.  Robert  Johnfon 

James  M'Vieffon 

Benjamin  Chambers 
Mr.  James  Orbifon,  Franklin 
county 

Nicholas  Clopper 

Edward  Crawford 

William  M.  Brown 

George  Clarke 

William  Allifon 

William  Magaw 

Archibald  Rankin 

Robert  M'Clanahan 

James  Poe 
Rev  John  Black,  York  county 
Walter  Smith,  Efq 
William  M'Pherfon,   Efq 
Mr.  James  Scott 
Thomas  Ewing,  Efq 
Mr.  Matthew  Longwell 

Alexander  Irwin 

John  Carrick 

Marmaduke  Wilfon 
Rev  Jofhua  Williams 
Rev  Francis  Laird 
Mr.  Hugh  Watfon 
Rev.  William  Paxton 
James  Adair,  ftud.  in  div, 
Mr.  Richard  Brown 

Mofes  M'Clean 

John  Fofter 

David  Wilfon 

Robert  Slemons 

Hugh  King 
Alexander  Cobean,  Efq 
Mr.  David  Edie 
John  Dickfon,  Efq 
Alexander  Ruifel,  Efq 
Mr.  Benjamin  Reed 

Samuel  Knox 
William  Gillitands,  Efq 
Mr.  William  Scott 

Samuel  M'Callough 
Patrick  M'Koig 
Abrahain  Scott 
William  Hill 
William  M'Goughy 
Samuel  Witherow 
John  Robinfon 
Jofeph  M'Ginley- 
Wi Ilium  Bigham 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES, 


Mr.  James  Burd 
John  Re  id 

Rev.  David  M'Conaugliy 

Mr.  Graham  J.  Bouchir,  Phi- 
ladelphia 

Mr.  Daniel  Wiftar,   Philadel- 
phia 

John  Cooke 
James  Darrach 
Patrick  Kerr  Rogers 
George  Gibbons 
Matthew  Smith 
John  P.  Peckwortli 

Capt  Abraham  Burling 

Mr.  John  C.  Keliey 

Thomas  W.  Tallman 
Blair  M'Clenachan 
John  Davidfon 
William  H.  Harrifon 
Samuel  Hyndman 

Mrs.  Mary  M'Allifter 

John  Buyers,  Efq.  Sunbury 

Daniel    Stroud,   Efq    Stroudf- 
bourg 

Mr.  William    Trimble,    Con- 
cord 

Rev.  John  Young,  Green  Caf- 
tle 

Mr.  James  Maccoun  (6  copies 
Thomas  Shanklin 
James  Crawford 
Charles  M^Pheeters 
Samuel  Clarkfon 
Frederick  Smith,  Efq 
William  Kirkpatrick 

John  M'Dowell,  Efq 

Jlev  Phillip  Milledcler 

Mr.  William  Trimble 

William  Coats,  Efq 

Rev  James  Snodgrafs 
Jofhua  Williams 
Kenry  R.  Wiliou 
John  Boyd 
John  Moody 
Mr.  Samuel  Bell 
Jofiah  Graham 
John  Miller,  M.  C. 
Samuel  M^Cormick 

Rev.  James  Graham 

Jonathan  Walker,  Efq 
Mr  John  M'Kiffick 
Mr.  Calvin  Gould 


Rev  James  Dimlap 
Alexander  Ruliel,  Efq 
John  Downey,  Eftj 
Mr  Erancis  Meredith 

Jofepli  Morrilbn 

John  RuiVel 
Henrv  Williams,  f.fq 
Mr  Vanlear,  Elq 

James  Spur 
Samuel  Riddle,  Efq 
John  M'Pherfon,  Efci 
George  Lalhell,  Efq 
Rev  John  Smith 
Peter  Wallace 
David  Lawfon 
Rev  James  M'L^in 
Mr  James  AUifon 

John  iVl'Lavighlin,  jun 

John  Wilfoii' 

Cornelius  Blue 

Thomas  Sanderfon 

John  Finley 

James  Caldwell 

William   Fullerton 

Thomas  Brown 

Daniel  Smith 

Charles  Ecklcs 

James  Eldor 

Robert  Barnes  (6  copies) 

John  Gibfon 

James  Guihrie 

Jofeph  BarneL 

John  AUifon 

William  TurnbuU 

Delaware. 
Rev  Jolm  Ewing  Latta 
Mr.  John  Stites,  lower  town- 
ft^ip,  Cape  May 

John  Waugh 

Robert  L.  Smith 

Richard  Hanbly 

William  Haughcy 

James  M'Culloc  li 

Joiin  Bird 

John  Wih'V 

James  Caldwell 
William  C.  Fra/.cr,  Efr^. 
French  Macmillau,  Efq 
Cien.  Maxwell   Bliicc 
Capt  David  Nivan 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


George  "Read,  Efq 
James  Tilton,  M.  D. 
Mr  John  Dickinfon 
JelTe  Harris 
D.  M'Calmont 
j^ordecai  M'Kinney 
Rev  Jollraa  Reece 
Mr.  Jaccb  Robinfon 
Jacob  Brown 
M.  Anderibu 


Maryland, 

Hon  Gabriel  Chri?lie 

Hon  William  Craik 

Hon  Samuel  Smith 

Mr.  James  Covren 

Rev  John  B.  Slemons^  Somer- 

fet  ccunt}- 
Mr.  Samuel  Ker 

James  Wilibn 

James  Laird 

Thomas  G.  Fountain 

George  W.  Jackfon 

John  C.  Wilfon 

William  Handy 

Den  wood  Wilibn 

John  Landreth 

John  Done 

Peter  Sharp,  Eafion 
Rev  Patrick  EUifbn, Baltimore 
Mr.  James  H.  M'Culloch,  do. 

Nathaniel    Nefbit,  Wafii- 
ington  county 

John  Martin,  Baltimore 
Luther  Martin,  Efq 
Mr.    John    Martin,    merchant 
laylor,  Baltimore 

Jarnes  Martin,  do. 
James  Prieftiey,   prefident   of 

Baltimore  Academy 
Ifaac  Edmonfton,  merchant 
Barnabas  Redman,  printer 
Ebenezer  Finley,  merchant 
Mr.  Joel  Munlon 

Robert  R.  llichardfon 


Virginia, 
His  Excel.  George  Wafliing- 
ton,  late  lieutenant-general 
of  the  armies  of  the  United 
States 


II is  Excelo  Thomas  Jeffe'rfon, 
now  preiident  of  the  United 
States 
Mr  Samuel   Annin,  Elarper's. 

ferry 
Dr  Samuel  L.  Campbell,  Lex-. 

ington 
Mr  Matthew  Houflon,  (6  co- 
pies 
Rev  Robert  Wilfon 
Rev  Dr.  Mure,  Alexandria 
James  Gilmore,  Efq 
Charles  Campbell,  Efq 
Mr  W'illiam  Lyle 
Rev  George  Baxter 
Mr  David  Shields 

James  Gold  (2  copies) 
Rev.  Daniel  Blaine 
Gen.  Samuel  BlackburnjRock-. 

bridge 
Ccl  James  M'Dowell 
Col  John  M'Conky 
i?ev.     Archibald    Alexander, 

Prince  Edward  (2  copies) 
Rev.  Archibald  M'Robert 
Mr  James  Morton 
Rev  Mcltthew  Lyle 
Rev.  Brury  Lacy 
Mr  Jacob  Woodfon 
Col  Philemon  Holcomb.e 
Mr  Conrad  Speece,  jun 

John  H.  Rice 

James  Aik§n 

Richard  Gordon 
Rev  Moles   Hcge,  Shepherd's 

town 
Mr.  John  Morrow 

John  Kearfiey 

Robert  Wilcox,   Martinf- 
burg 
Mifs  Fanny  Campbell,  Berke- 
ley 
Mr  Jacob  Vandaran 

John  Venofdal 

John  Melville,  Berkeley 

John  Taylor 

Jariies  Sherney 
R  ev.Samuel  Brown, Rockbridge 
Mr  Andrew  Finley 

Jofcph  White 

James  M'Cheng 

William  M'Pheters 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES, 


Kev  Nafli  Le  Grand,  FrccUM-ick 

county 
Mils  Ann  Vance 
•Mr  James  D.  Vance 

S.  Simral 

Jam^s  Chipley 

.Toi'vii  Gordon 

\V4lfl am  Vance 

ilentry^  B catty 

Beatl5\'  Carfon 

J  of.  (gamble 
Bcv  William  M-Pheeters 
Maj  David  Stephepfon 
Jofeph  Bell,  Efq 
William  and  James  Bell 
John  Coalter,  Efq 
Alex  Nelibn,  Efq 
Rev  John  Chavis 
Dr  Robert  Patillo 
Maj  Vv  illiam  Marfnall 
Mr  Jacob  Chavis 

Alexander  Crawford 

John  Gay 
Hev  John  M'Cue 


North-  Carolina, 
Hon  Timothy  Blood  worth 
Rev  John  Anderfon 
Rev  James  Hall,  Iredell  county 
Mr  Thomas  Hall 

James  King 

Andrew  Pickens 
Richard  King,  Ef.] 
Mr  Hugh  Hall 
William  Sharp,  Efq 
Mr  James  H.  Hull 

Jofeph  Kilpatrick 

John  Cochran 
Rev.  J.  D.  Kilpatrick 
Rev.  Lewis  T.  Wilfon 
Mr  Alexander  Ewing 

Enos  Sherrill 
Thomas  Morrifon,  Efq 
Mr  John  Wallis 

Reuben  Alexander 

Abraham  Hill 
M.  Matthews,  Efq 
Mr  John  M'Clellan 
William  Stevenfon,  Efq 
Rev  David  Caldwell,  Guilford 

county 
Rev  William  Hodge 


nev  John  Robinfon  ' 

Rev  Andrew  Caldwell 
Mr  Jofeph  Hodge 

Ezekiel  Currie 

Duncan  Pamc 
Rev  William  Paillcy 
Rev  Robert  Tate 
Rev  William  Moore 
?.lr  Edward  Phurr 

William  Denny,  Guilford 
county 

James  Denny 

Hugh  -Shaw 

John  Mctthews 

Murdock  McMillan 

Malcolm  M'Nair 

Murdock  Murphy 

Michael  Montgomery 

Daniel  Brown 

Simon  Landreth 

PI  ugh  Shaw 

John  Campbell 

David  Pallet 

Andrew   Flinn 

Samuel  Stanford 

J.  S.  Gillafpie 

John  Gillafpie 

Angus  M'Dermaid 

Duncan  Brown 

John  Munroe 

Ncill  Brown 

Samuel  Cumminp:s 

Florence  Cameron 
Mrs  Marv  Cameron 
Mr  Archibald  M'Neill 

Robert  Hanna,  jiiu 

Jofeph  McDowell 

David  Price 

James  Smiley 

John  ('unningham 

John  W.  Caldwell 

Conftantine  Ladd 

Mofes  Pedcn 

Thomas  Lloyd 

John  Laird 

Adam  Smith,  fen 

William  Davis 

Nathaniel  Moody 

Archibald  Campbell 

John  Nicholfon 

James  Stewart 

Ilham  Veil 

Jo.  B.inn-r 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


Mr.  Jofeph  Ladd 

William  Greigg 

A.  Robinfon 

Edmund  Hatch 

J.  Harper 

John  M'Adow 

Samuel  M'Adow 
Jonathan  Parker,  Efq 
Mr  Alexander  Clarke 
William  Armfield,  Efq 
Mr.  George  Finiey 

William  Dick 

Daniel  Donne! 

Hugh  Wilfon 

H.  Hamilton 

Z.  D.  B.  Naflier 

John  Cummings 

J.  Moore 

Samuel  Lindfay 

Thomas  Barnett 

John  Rankin 

Andrew  Wilfon,  fen 

Andrew  v/ilfon,  jun 

William  Reeve 

James  Gibfon 

Robert  Hodge 

W.  Mebane 

James  Dick 

John  F.  Thompfon 

John  S»  Fall 

Finley  Stewart 

David  Caldwell,  jun 
Maj  James  W.  Smith 
Mr  James  Smith 

John  P.  Smith 

William  Shepard,  fen 
Samuel  Smith,  Efq 
Capt  Alexander  Murphy 
Mr  Robert  Donnell 
Rev  Thomas  J  .  Hall,  (30  cop. 


South -Carolina. 
Thomas  Legare,jun  Efq  John's 

Illand 
Dr  Jofeph  Hall  Ramfay,  Char- 

lellon 
James    Legare,     Efq    John's 

Ifland 
William  Briibane,  Efq  Slann's 

Ifland 
Mrs  Sarah  Yonge,  Charlellon 
Margaret  Jenkins 
Sufa.nna  Wilkinfon,  inn 


Mr  Charles  Sno\Tden 

David  Adams, Wadmelaw 
Ifland 
Nathaniel  Ruffel,  Efq  Charlef- 

ton 
Mifs  Jane  Huxham 
Mifs  Mary  Legare,  John's  Ifl. 
Thomas  Jones,  Efq  Pref.  bank 

of  S.  C.  Charleflon 
Henry  William  De  Sauffure, 

Efq 
Mrs  Ann  Toomer 
Mr.  Anthony  Toomer 

Thomas  Bennett 
Thomas  Lehre,  Efq 
William  S.  Smith,  Efq 
George  Parker,  Efq 
Mr  Kinfey  Burden 

Micah  Jenkins 
Daniel  Stevens,  Efq 
Mrs.  Francis  Legare 

Margaret  Stock 
Mr  Jacob  Axfon 

Jameb  Badger 
Rev  James  M'Elhcrnev, John's 
Ifland 

Mrs  . Brownlee,  Charlef- 

ton 
Timothy  Ford,  Efq 
Rev  Andrew  Steele,  Wilton 
Dr  James  E.  B.  Finley,  Beau- 
fort 
Paul  Hamilton,  Efq  StBartho^ 

lomews 
William  Hayne,  Efq  Wilton 
Mrs   Jean    Slann,  Slann's  Ifl. 
Ifaac  Hayne,  Efq  St  Bartholo- 
mews 
Mr  John  S.  Walter 

William  Ofwald 

Alfred  Walter 

William  M^Cants 
Rev  Thomas  H.  Price,  James 
Ifland 

Francis  Rivers,  fen 

Francis  Piivers,  jun 

John  Todd 

Edward  Freer 

Jofiah  Rivers 

Narwood  Witter 

William  Royall 
Tames  Hafkins,  Efq 
John  Todd,  Efq 


SUBSCRIBERS^  NAMES. 


Rev   W.   Hollingnicad,  D.  D. 

Charlefton 
Rev  Ilaac  S.  Keith,  D.  D. 
Dr  William  S.  Stephens 
Dv  Edward  D.  Smith 
Morton  Waring,  Efq 
Mrs  ]Marv  Waring 

Sufanna  Poftell 

Ann  FaiiToux 

Margaret  Young 

IMary  Ann  Shrcwlbury 
Jofiah  Smith,  Efq,  Cafliier  of 

National  Braucii  bank 
Rev.    Dr.    M'Calla,    ChriR's 

church 
Rev  James  Adams,  Dorchefter 
Dr  Thomas  IL  M'Calla,  Char- 
lefton 
Dr    Richard  Waring,   Beach- 
hill 
Henry  M.  Evans,  Efq 
Mrs  Saj-ah  You,  Charlefton 

Mary  Turpin 

Sarah  Parker 
Ifaac  Perry,  Efq  DorcheRer 
Mrs  Mary  E.  Droze 
Mr  Samuel  Prior 

John  Rofe 

John  Carr 

William   Flack,  St  Pauls 

William  Patterfon 

Charles  Steed, Wadmelaw 
Ifland 

Thomas  Fickling 

Francis  Fickling 

Henry  Hanna,  Williamft). 
Mrs  E  B  Hatter,  Charlefton 
Mr  William  Paine 

Hugh  Simpfon 

Alexander  Robcrtfon 

John  M'Dowel, Charlefton 
John  Johnfon,  Efq 
Mr  Jofeph  Hoger,  jun 

William  Leecli 

Jeremiah  Rofe 

JeiTe  Elmore 

Edward  B  Morgan 

Daniel  Crukftianks 
Dr  John  Noble 
Mr  Jofeph  Mecomb 

William  Pufley 

William  Lane 


Mr  Samuel  Dickfon 

Kcv  William  Williamfjn,Fair 

Foreft 
Dr  Thomas  Welliamfon,  Spor- 

tcr  county 
Col  Hugh  Aleans,    Fair  Foreft 
Mr  Samuel  Archibald 

Henry  Story 

James  Mayers,  juii 

Mofcs  \Vhitc 
Hugh  Dickfon,  A.  B.  Pendle- 
ton county 
Mr    Samuel    Otterfon,  Union 

county 
Rev  Robert  Wilfon,  Abbeville 
Mrs  Sufannah  Ogier 

Mary    (Solomon)  Lcgare 

Eliza  Cochran 

John  Parker,  Efq 
Mrs  Hefter  Hutfon 

Mary  Col  cock 
Capt  Benjamin  Siiles 

Gracia  Rivers,  Efq 
Mr  William  Rivers,  fen 

Jonah  Ri\ers,  fen 
Mrs  Sufannah  Rivers 

(Richard)  Waring 

Anne  Barnewell 

M'lntofh 

Mary  Lambell 
William  Roach,  Efq 
Mrs  Ann  Waring 
Mv  Paul  Walers 

Jacob  Walter 

Richard  Singleton 
Mrs  Mary  Barnewell 
Dr  J  R  Witherfpoon 
Rev  John  M'Roberts 
Mr  William  Champlin 

William  H  Capers,  Efq; 

Paul  I'ripp 

John  Jenkins,  fen 

John  Jenkins,  jun 

John  VVardlaw 

Bejijamin  Monigomcry 

Jofeph  Pope 

Jofeph  Edings 

Benjamin  Champlin 
Rev  Jofeph  C^ook 
Dr  Archibald  Campbell 
Mr  Stephen  Lawrence 

James  Scanlin 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAME. 


Maj  J  H  Cuthbert 

Col  Thrmas   Thomas  Talbird 

l-^r  James  Stuart 

Mr  Thomas  Fuller 

John  Screven 

John  Rhodes 

Robert  Witherfpoon 
Rev  John  Hemphill 
Charles  Tevv',  Eiq  (4  copies) 
Rev  John  Coufar 
William  G  Rolborough 
Ifaac  Dunnom 
Alex  Carnes 
Mrs  Letitia  Wigg 

Sarah  Givens 
Mr  William  HuLton 

John  Gray 

William  Lefley,  Efq 
Robert  M'Cann,  Eiq 
Mr  Andrew  Weed 

Hugh  Vv'ardlaw 

Samuel  Rofemond 

James  Watts 

Samuel  Strain 

Michael  M'Kee 

John  Dixon 

John  Bell 
John  Caklwell,  Efq 
Mr  Samuel  Young 
William  Ba&in,  jun 
Mr  John  Lovvry  Elder 

Ilug-h  Mecklin  Elder 

John  Rurkfdale 

James  S  Bafkin 
Rev  A-lexander  Porter 
Rev  Francis    Cummins,  A  M 

Kentucky. 
Hon  John  Brown 
Hon  Humphrey  Marflial 
Rev  James  Blythe 
Mr  R.  Putterfon 

Alexander  Telford 
Robert  Marihall 
Alex.    Parker  Lexing-ton 
■   Antiiony  Logan 


John  M'Dowell 
Andrew  M'Calla 
John  Caldwell 
James  Welfh 
James  C  raw  ford 
Jacob  Fifliback,  Clark  co^ 
Sam. Rannels. Bourbon  coi 
Isaac  'I'ull 
Barton  W.  Stone 
Jofeph  P.  Howe,  Montgo- 
mery county 

J.  Hopkins,  Bourbon  cOo 
Samuel  Shannon,  Wood- 
ford county 

Wm  Robifon,  Flarrifon 
Malcolm  Worley 
J  'i'homfon,   Bourbon   co 
Robert  Steele,  Fayette 
JohnLyle,  Clarke  county 
liaac  Barr,  Fayette  county 
William  Wylie,  Scott's  c6 
Sara  Robertfon,  Harrifon 
James  Moore,  Lexington 

Tennessee, 
Hon  William  Cock 
Mr  Gideon  Blackburn 
Robert  Henderfon 


Georgia. 
Rev  Robert  Cunningham 
Thomas  Newton 
Benjamin  Thompfon 
\V iljiam  Montgomery 
Col  Samuel  Alexander 
Maj  Benjamin  Baldwin 
Dr  William  W  Strain 
William  E  Philips,  Efq. 
Mr  Martin  Martin 
Edward  Pharr 
William  Wallace 

London, 
Thonu\s  Vviiiiams  (2  5  copi 


Date  Due 


J^g^^^— 


,  '«- 


